Applications of the ZLG to Strategic Missions

Charles Volk, Steven Gillespie, and Dhiren Patel

Abstract:	The multioscillator ring laser gyroscope (Zerolock Laser Gyro) is an excellent choice for high accuracy applications because it has low random walk, no induced motion due to dithering, is capable of increased resolution, and has excellent scale factor linearity over a wide dynamic rate range. After a brief discussion on the theory of operation of the ZLG, the design and performance of these instruments are described. Design features relating to the radiation hardness of the ZLG are briefly discussed. The capability of the ZLG to achieve low random walk is demonstrated. The ability to improve the quantization of the ZLG via high-speed digital filtering is shown. The excellent performance of the ZLG had made this instrument the logical choice for a broad range of applications. Military programs that utilize the l8 cm ZLG include: Apache helicopter, Comanche helicopter, F-22, T45/GINA, Martin Marietta’s MSLS, and AIMS. The l8 cm ZLG is also used in a commercial navigation which is standard on the Airbus A320/330/340.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 49th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (1993) June 21 - 23, 1993 Royal Sonesta Hotel Cambridge, MA
Pages:	543 - 550
Cite this article:	Volk, Charles, Gillespie, Steven, Patel, Dhiren, "Applications of the ZLG to Strategic Missions," Proceedings of the 49th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (1993), Cambridge, MA, June 1993, pp. 543-550.
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