Limited Evaluation of a Relative GPS Datalink Between Two C-12C Aircraft (Project "Lost Wingman")

Abstract

This report presents the results of a limited evaluation of a relative GPS datalink system installed onboard two USAF C-12C aircraft. This project was a risk reduction step to test the stability of the datalink to provide relative position and attitude information from a lead aircraft to a trail aircraft for the potential purpose of autonomous aerial refueling. Testing began on 11 Apr 05 and was completed on 2 May 05 after two two-ship formation flights. Relative position accuracy data between the two GPS receiver antennas were compared to GPS Aided Inertial Reference (GAINR) truth source data. The attitude data of the Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) in the lead aircraft were also compared to the GAINR Embedded GPS/Inertial Navigation System (EGI).

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 11, 2005
Accession Number
ADA439999

Entities

People

  • Adam M. Faulkner
  • Benjamin E. George
  • Bruce J. Wilder
  • Scott T. Sullivan
  • York W. Pasanen

Organizations

  • Air Force Test Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Autonomy

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Air Force
  • Aircrafts
  • Flight
  • Formation Flight
  • Global Positioning Systems
  • Horizontal Stabilizers
  • Inertial Measurement Units
  • Inertial Navigation
  • Inertial Navigation Systems
  • Measurement
  • Microelectromechanical Systems
  • Navigation
  • Refueling
  • Refueling In Flight
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Readers

  • Aviation Science / Aeronautics.
  • Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Technology.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems
  • Space
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers