An inertial navigation system (INS) is a form of navigational device that has been used in various aircraft for decades. It uses sensors to relay key information, such as velocity, position, heading, pitch, and roll to both pilots and ground crews.
Modern inertial navigation systems are far more sophisticated than those that were in use just a few decades ago. In fact, these systems have evolved out of necessity, as modern combat aircraft may be tasked with operating in GPS-denied or degraded environments.
The field of systems engineering has played a critical role in the development of modern INS technologies and has paved the way for the development of increasingly advanced aircraft and weapons systems.
What Is Systems Engineering?
Systems engineering is the culmination of multiple disciplines, including engineering management. As it pertains to the development of inertial navigation systems, the field is often referred to as INS engineering.
Systems thinking is the foundation of systems engineering, and its principles involve examining the interconnective nature of various components, systems, and technologies. For instance, a systems engineering expert would assess how an INS interacts with the other systems onboard a modern aircraft.
Systems engineers are responsible for designing and integrating complex systems, such as INS solutions, into the overall design of an aircraft. Additionally, they are responsible for managing the life cycle of INS devices, as well as other mission-critical and auxiliary components.
In other words, systems engineering experts are tasked with achieving harmony between an aircraft’s various systems. Without the work of systems engineers, INS systems and other aircraft technologies would not be able to support the efforts of military entities, such as the U.S. Armed Forces.
Systems Engineering and INS Technology
When developing or refining INS technology, systems engineers will use a variety of advanced practices, including:
- Modeling
- Simulation
- Visualization
- Design traceability
These are just a few examples of the sophisticated techniques that systems engineering professionals use to develop INS technologies and incorporate them into multifaceted devices.
A prime example of a piece of aircraft technology that is the product of systems engineering is an advanced tactical navigator, or ATACNAV. This device includes not only an inertial navigation system but also GPS technology and a GNSS receiver. Cumulatively, these technologies provide pilots and support staff with real-time data that they can use to ensure mission completion, even when operating within degraded or denied GPS environments.
In order to produce the ATACNAV, systems engineers needed to devise a way to integrate INS technology into the platform. The end result is a device that leverages INS, GPS, and GNSS technologies in a synergistic manner.
Systems engineering professionals have been essential in the modernization of all aircraft, but especially those used in combat and defense applications. In the coming years, systems engineers will undoubtedly build on existing INS technologies to facilitate even more significant performance enhancements. Ultimately, this will enable pilots to adapt successfully to the rapidly evolving modern combat environment.