The International GMLRS Development Program - A GPS/INS Application to Extend the Range and Effectiveness of the Basic Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)

摘要

The Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) is a surface-to-surface tactical missile (or guided rocket) designed to attack area targets by dispensing a large number of small grenades above the target. GMLRS is an advancement of the basic unguided MLRS system, which has been in the US Army inventory since 1980. The basic MLRS was successfully used in Desert Storm in 1991. The development of the GMLRS is a multinational effort with participants from France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States. GMLRS is a completely new design with a much longer range than the basic rocket system, but in the same form factor. The longer range was obtained by reducing the payload and adding a longer-range motor. To maintain the effectiveness (accuracy) of the system at the longer ranges, a GPS/INS guidance and control package was added to the nose and leading ogival section of the rocket. The precision navigation system discussed in detail in this paper consists of a Honeywell developed Guidance Set (GS) consisting of the Honeywell HG1700 ring laser gyro (RLG) inertial measurement unit (IMU), the Rockwell Collins SAASM-based NavStrikeTM GPS receiver, and a Honeywell developed mission computer and power supply. GMLRS is the first multinational program to flight test a GPS SAASM-based missile system.