Feasibility Study of Global-Positioning-System-Based Aircraft-Carrier Flight-Deck Persistent Monitoring System

摘要

This research analyzes the use of modern guidance, navigation, and control concepts, such as the GlobalnPositioning System, with the potential for improvements in the safety of aircraft, equipment, and personnel onboardna U.S. Navy aircraft carrier. The results of a detailed analysis of U.S. Navy safety records since 1980 show thatnmishaps that could potentially be prevented by a persistentmonitoring systemhave resulted in the deaths of 13 sailorsnand account for over $90 million in damages, or 5% of the total cost of all flight-deck- and hangar-bay-relatednmishaps. Research efforts included a study of the movements of U.S. Navy personnel and an FA-18C aircraft beingntowed at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. Pseudospectral motion planning techniques are explored to providenroute prediction for aircraft, support equipment, and personnel. A system to continually monitor flight-decknoperations is proposed, with four successive levels of increasing capability. The research shows that radio navigationncan provide the necessary accuracy to improve flight-deck safety, but that substantial computing power andnaugmentation of the Global Positioning System are necessary..