GPS: Arrival in the Fleet A GPS An/SRN-25 Receiver Assessment

Peter J. Karcz

Abstract:	An operational requirement was issued by the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) on January 6, 1987 for an AN/SRN-12 OMEGA receiver replacement. The requirement called for a low cost, integrated TRANSIT and OMEGA.navigation receiver with GPS capability, that would eventually be installed on approximately 400 surface combatants, amphibious, and logistics support ships and function as a stand-alone secondary source of navigation position information. As an interim measure to meet the needs· for navigation improvement, the CNO directed the Commander Naval Sea Systems Command to procure 56 Magnavox MX 1105 Integrated TRANSIT/OMEGA receivers with GPS capability. The resulting TRANSIT/OMEGA/GPS receiver was designated the AN/SRN-25. The AN/SRN-25(V) receiver has provided the Fleet with its first operational exposure to GPS position fixing. The response to using. GPS has been highly favorable and has amazed most users with its consistent accuracy of at least 1.7 meters (when compared to visual or charted positions). Most ships extend GPS availability to approximately 12 hours per day by obtaining GPS fixes with 2 satellites: and a 5 Mhz frequency standard input. Extensive message responses were elicited from Fleet users, and personal interviews conducted to obtain a representative sampling of the Navy's first experience with GPS position fixing. The shipboard installations provide a wide variety of locations, missions, and platform types which operate in the Virginia Capes, Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Pacific Ocean, and Persian Gulf Operating Areas. The Navy has used the AN/SRN-25(V) and GPS as a means· of navigation, as a guide. far minehunting/minesweeping operations, as a means of determining battle group asset positions and evaluating targeting solutions, and as an input for integration testing with selected shipboard combat systems. The AN/SRN-25(V) and GPS, can provide the most accurate navigation position information available to the Fleet, and will influence the naval strategies and policies of the future.
Published in:	Proceedings of the International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1988) September 19 - 23, 1988 The Broadmoor Hotel Colorado Spring, CO
Pages:	221 - 225
Cite this article:	Karcz, Peter J., "GPS: Arrival in the Fleet A GPS An/SRN-25 Receiver Assessment," Proceedings of the International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1988), Colorado Spring, CO, September 1988, pp. 221-225.
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