GPS in the Gulf War

Muneendra Kumar, Bryn A. Fosburgh

Abstract:	To be able to know quickly where we are, where our friendly troops are, find where the enemy is, and determine correctly the heading and direction can be grouped as the most necessary and essential requirements in any war. Of course, these capabilities can also be the source of assurance and comfort. Further, if the available mapping, charting, and geodetic (MC&G) information to be used by the fighting land, sea, and air units comprises a complex mixture of datums, it also becomes essential to be able to use the same in one reference system. The above scenario became a real time requirement during the recent conflict and the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS) proved its worth in gold. It was an instantaneous source of required information not only during the war but even in the time of the United Nation's (UN) post-war inspection and surveillance effort. The GPS also provided, in almost real time, the much needed data to facilitate the use of a complex mixture of available MC&G products. This capability helped the military perform its mission in the Gulf efficiently and effectively. This paper presents a few salient details of how the GPS made its impact directly and indirectly on the success of the military effort under Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 48th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (1992) June 29 - 1, 1992 ANA Westin Hotel Dayton, OH
Pages:	403 - 408
Cite this article:	Kumar, Muneendra, Fosburgh, Bryn A., "GPS in the Gulf War," Proceedings of the 48th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (1992), Dayton, OH, June 1992, pp. 403-408.
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