CORECT - A Strap-on GPS Upgrade Kit for MLRS Rockets

Thornas Lheseher, John Nielson

Abstract:	Oerlikon Contraves GmbH and Rheinmetall W&M GmbH are developing a system known as COntraves Rhehunetall Enhanced Conection for Trajectories (CORE(T) to de-termine a Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) rocket’s trajectory using GPS data and then to cortect the trajectory using a system of strap-on thrusters. Rockwell Collins is providing the GPS receivers and the integration Suppom This prototype system uses multiple GPS antennas mounted at regular intervals around a high-speed rotating rocket. The antenna signals m then routed through a combimr such that more or less continuous GPS signals are provided to a Collins GPS Embedded Module (GEM) 111receiver. An integration computer compares pmcom-puted rocket trajectory data with the actual GPS position data. The computer uses up to 32 thrusters mounted around the rocket to apply ml time comeetions to the rocket’s trajectory. Trajectory aiding is provided to the GPS receiver to aid in n%wquisition after launch and to improve tracking performance. The otkr significant por-tion of this navigation system is the use of a magr@ic sen-sor to determine tk roll angle based on the rocket’s atti-tude with mpeet to the earth’s magnetic field. The irntial probability estimates for CORECT indicate a great deal of promise for improvement of circular emor probable (CEP) at th target. Tests of this system have been conducted using a GPS simulator and a rotating an-tenna fixture to simulate tlx? rotation of the rocket. IndL vidual tests of the thrusters have also been performed. Two successful live firings of missiles using CORECT have been performed through which a significant end-game improvement (400m at 20km) and midcourse guid-ance were demonstrated. The msuhs of these tests as well as tesults of additional very recent flight tests are pre-sented. This program shows innovation because it provides a relatively easy way to add GPS guidance to an existing rocke~ The next phase of this program is the development of the final modular system using smaller electronic com-ponents.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 11th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1998) September 15 - 18, 1998 Nashville, TN
Pages:	573 - 581
Cite this article:	Lheseher, Thornas, Nielson, John, "CORECT - A Strap-on GPS Upgrade Kit for MLRS Rockets," Proceedings of the 11th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1998), Nashville, TN, September 1998, pp. 573-581.
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