Differential GPS as a Position Datum for Military Helicopter Testing

Jon Walters

Abstract:	The paper describes the use of a commercial single frequency differential GPS receiver in the testing of UK military helicopters. The NavSymm Sharpe XR6 receiver has been in use since 1998 to provide a centimetric precision position datum for Military Aircraft Release testing carried out by the DERA Aircraft Test & Evaluation Sector at Boscombe Down, Wiltshire. Integration of the receiver and data logger into Apache, Chinook, Merlin and Sea King helicopters is described as well as the provision of a permanent base station at Boscombe Down. Post processing differential techniques were used with GrafNav software providing results consistently within 10 cm 2dRMS two-dimensional position accuracy during profiles including manoeuvring flight over land at very low level using baselines of up to 150 km . These results were used as truth data for testing of PPS GPS receivers, integrated IN/GPS systems, altimeters and airspeed indicators. The equipment has proved to be robust, reliable and accurate, providing a significant increase in the quality of datum information combined with decreased cost and increased flexibility.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 2001 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation January 22 - 24, 2001 Westin Long Beach Hotel Long Beach, CA
Pages:	394 - 401
Cite this article:	Walters, Jon, "Differential GPS as a Position Datum for Military Helicopter Testing," Proceedings of the 2001 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation, Long Beach, CA, January 2001, pp. 394-401.
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