The AN/ASN-128B, An Integrated Doppler/GPS Navigation System for Helicopters

Heinz Buell, Leonid Oleinik

Abstract:	The successful deployment of GPS has introduced a new and powerful tool that enables the development of a variety of integrated navigation systems. One such system integrates GPS with a Doppler radar navigation set resulting in a system that combines the best features of each of the two sensors while eliminating their individual disadvantages. The advantages of a combined system include the availability of accurate navigation even when one of the two sets of sensor data are not available, continuous updating of Doppler present position with the highly accurate GPS data and use of Doppler velocity data to aid the GPS receiver for improved tracking in high dynamics and in a jamming environment. GEC-Marconi Hazeltine (GMH) was awarded a contract by the U.S. Army to embed a single card P(Y) code GPS receiver in its AN/ASN-128 Lightweight Doppler Navigation Set (LDNS) for helicopters. Three prototypes were built and successfully tested by the Army. The Army awarded GMH a production contract in August 1995 for 1693 “B” kits that convert the LDNS into the AN/ASN-128B version. Deliveries were started in April, 1996, with the first units fielded going to Task Force XXI. This paper presents a description of the AN/ASN-128B, test methods employed by the Army to verify its performance and the results of the test program. This paper also discusses growth of the AN/ASN-128B including the use of a newer GPS card that meets GRAM requirements.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 54th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (1998) June 1 - 3, 1998 The Adams Mark Hotel Denver, CO
Pages:	395 - 406
Cite this article:	Updated citation: Published in NAVIGATION: Journal of the Institute of Navigation
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