IEC GPS Receiver Acquires and Tracks in Navy Gun Launch
Successful ERGM test shot confirms the power and versatility of IEC’s TruTrak™ GPS receiver with advanced SAASM technology.
ANAHEIM, CA, March 27, 2002 – Marking the first time that a fully functional SAASM-based GPS receiver has ever survived an actual gun launch, the TruTrak™ GPS receiver from Interstate Electronics Corporation (IEC), a wholly owned subsidiary of L-3 Communications Corporation, acquired and tracked the nine satellites that were in view during a recent test of the U.S. Navy’s Extended Range Guided Munition (ERGM). The receiver provided precise measurements to the guidance computer to guide the round 20+ miles to an on-target impact after being fired from a 5" / 62 caliber gun.
During the December 10, 2001 test shot at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico the Raytheon-built ERGM successfully met all its primary and secondary test requirements including GPS acquisition, track and guidance. A key element of the Navy's littoral warfare concept, the increased range of the five-inch, rocket-assisted ERGM, coupled with IEC’s TruTrak™ precision Global Positioning System receiver, will provide the U.S. Navy the ability to support U.S. Marine Corps forces ashore with responsive, sustained, accurate firepower. The receiver incorporates IEC’s compact Xfactor SAASM module, a highly integrated package that receives, decodes and manages the signals from up to 12 GPS satellites, requiring only antenna/pre-amplifier functions externally.
Fast Acquisition, Enhanced GPS Security
Raytheon ERGM program manager, Brian O’Cain, called the test "a major step forward for the GPS-guided projectile, demonstrating autonomous acquisition and navigation after gun launch." A second-generation GPS receiver that is C/A and direct Y-Code capable, TruTrak™ allows extremely fast signal acquisition (less than 3 seconds from a cold start) even in the face of hostile jamming and high vehicle dynamics. Its 12-channel architecture provides rapid Time-To-First-Fix (TTFF) logic under all initialization conditions.
The IEC TruTrak™ module incorporates the latest SAASM technology, including extended functions, to provide enhanced GPS security. SAASM is a tamper-resistant, unclassified multi-chip module that, when incorporated into a GPS receiver, gives authorized users access to the Department of Defense GPS Precise Positioning Service signal which is more accurate than commercially available GPS signals. The IEC SAASM is fully qualified by the GPS Joint Program Office. The SAASM module is combined with the radio frequency (RF) down converter and I/O logic to form the complete GPS receiver.
Proprietary Gunhardening Design Techniques
Derived from IEC’s rugged projectile GPS receivers designed to operate in harsh environments, the TruTrak™ receiver is capable of withstanding a 15,500g setback and 5000g lateral (balloting) gun shock. The production-ready TruTrak™ can also be used in the field, in ground vehicles, missiles and in test pods that track high-performance aircraft. Ninety-five percent of the components in the design of the module are commercial off-the-shelf (COTS).
About L-3 Communications and Interstate Electronics Corporation
Based in Anaheim, CA, Interstate Electronics Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of L-3 Communications Corporation, has been a long-term supplier of critical test instrumentation and missile tracking systems for the U.S. Navy's Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) weapons systems, including the Trident submarine. The Division is ranked as an industry leader in GPS receiver and translator-based products, which are currently in use on multiple aircraft, cruise missiles and precision guided weapons. IEC produces ruggedized displays for both military and industrial applications. IEC also provides secure communications on a quick reaction basis for deployed forces in Eastern Europe.
L-3 Communications is a leading supplier of secure communications systems and products, avionics and ocean navigation systems, training systems, microwave components and telemetry, instrumentation, space and wireless products. Its customer base includes the Department of Defense (DoD), U.S. government intelligence agencies, aerospace and defense prime contractors and commercial telecommunications and cellular customers. To learn more about L-3 Communications, please visit http://www.l-3com.com/ and IEC at http://www.iechome.com/
For more information, contact:
Greg Martz
Marketing Manager,
Communications
Phone: (714) 758-4158