Enhanced Capabilities for Legacy Missiles through Technology Insertion

P. B. Renfroe, A. M. Wright and T. B. Medley

Abstract:	The U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM), Applied Sensors, Guidance and Electronics Directorate (ASGE Directorate) is developing a 3-axis rate package to replace the gyro currently utilized by the HELLFIRE II missile. This technology insertion/risk reduction program offers enhanced capabilities over those of the current missile that include a greatly expanded engagement envelope, enhanced warhead lethality and reliability, optimized missile performance for a variety of launch platforms, greatly reduced occurrence of launch failures, a smaller range safety danger zone, and an added gyro testing capability. The approach to the design was to investigate inertial sensor upgrade options and select the best technology based on missile mechanical/electrical constraints, technology risk, and schedule. After sensors were selected ASGE personnel worked closely with the rate sensor manufacturer to achieve a rate package design that meets the size, power, and performance requirements of the HELLFIRE II missile. When the design was complete, ASGE Directorate personnel were responsible for laboratory testing of the rate packages to verify that critical performance parameters adhered to system requirements. They then integrated the rate packages into HELLFIRE II guidance sections and tested them to prove out the hardware and software changes. Hardware-In-the-Loop (HWIL) testing was then performed to demonstrate improved system performance leading up to a successful flight test. This paper presents an overview of the gyro replacement effort beginning with initial rate sensor performance specification development and continuing through flight testing. It also addresses ongoing efforts to repackage the rate sensor into a smaller size and the ultimate solution of a fully integrated miniature IMU for the HELLFIRE II missile.
Published in:	Proceedings of IEEE/ION PLANS 2006 April 25 - 27, 2006 Loews Coronado Resort Hotel San Diego, CA
Pages:	795 - 802
Cite this article:	Renfroe, P. B., Wright, A. M., Medley, T. B., "Enhanced Capabilities for Legacy Missiles through Technology Insertion," Proceedings of IEEE/ION PLANS 2006, San Diego, CA, April 2006, pp. 795-802. https://doi.org/10.1109/PLANS.2006.1650675
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