The next frontier for strapdown RLG inertial systems. Precision navigation

Honeywell research and development projects directed at improvements in the design, building, and testing of RLG (ring laser gyro) strapdown systems are reviewed. Some of the performance standards being set with current hardware are discussed, as are a number of the known error sources existing in these systems along with candidate solutions, the analysis and test results upon which precision navigation performance projections are based, and plans to demonstrate the feasibility of a precision pure strapdown RLG system. Based upon current performance, reasonable projections and analysis, and laboratory test data, it is anticipated that strapdown RLG systems can deliver performance consistent with the precision requirements of SNU 84-3 (0.2 nm/h after a precision-extended time-alignment) while retaining the major advantages that the pure strapdown mechanization offers