A Low Cost, Highly Capable Navigation Flight Test Approach Through Industry and University Collaboration

S. Sorber, D. Hennessey, J. Moody, D. Bruckner, T. Skidmore

Abstract:	Lockheed Martin and Ohio University (OU) have jointly built a unique flight test capability. Flight testing aircraft navigation systems can be a costly proposition. Our unique collaborative arrangement enables a very flexible, cost effective flight test capability. The essential elements required to perform flight test of a military navigation system are the following: • Aircraft as the flight test platform • Ability to modify the flight test platform • Navigation truth source • Secure network environment for collecting and analyzing flight data • Physical controls for the protection of potentially sensitive equipment • Access to and license to broadcast on military communications frequencies There are very few places in the world where all these pieces can come together. When they do, it is typically very costly. The collaboration between Lockheed Martin and Ohio University allowed to us to modify an aircraft with our unique navigation system, including an external 14-inch, multi-element GPS antenna array, for less than $50,000. The modifications were made to a Piper Saratoga and yielded a system we could fly for less than $400 per flight hour.
Published in:	Proceedings of the ION 2013 Pacific PNT Meeting April 23 - 25, 2013 Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa Honolulu, Hawaii
Pages:	851 - 857
Cite this article:	Sorber, S., Hennessey, D., Moody, J., Bruckner, D., Skidmore, T., "A Low Cost, Highly Capable Navigation Flight Test Approach Through Industry and University Collaboration," Proceedings of the ION 2013 Pacific PNT Meeting, Honolulu, Hawaii, April 2013, pp. 851-857.
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