Astronautics - Naval Navigation Systems

Astronautics is a world leader in the design, development, integration and manufacture of military and commercial electronics for naval, aerospace and land systems.

Astronautics manufactures naval navigation systems built around the unique monolithic Ring Laser Gyro (RLG) INS / GPS constructed by Kearfott Guidance and Navigation (KGN), a subsidiary of the Astronautics Corporation of America (ACA).

INTEGRATED BRIDGE SYSTEMS (IBS)

Astronautics is engaged in producing naval systems for corvettes, frigates and submarines which use its Integrated Bridge Systems (IBS). Astronautics' IBS are based on its Computerised Maritime Advanced Navigation systems (C-MAN) and Operating Work Stations (OWS).

Basic IBS / OWS provide:

• Navigation data, W/ECDIS and mission route planning (including automatic navigation assistance, both operational and for course plotting), as well as a radar repeater
• Control and monitoring of C-MAN, displaying all the navigation data information
• AIS targets displayed on-screen, including vessel information, position and course tracking

COMPUTERISED MARITIME ADVANCED NAVIGATION SYSTEMS

Our C-MAN systems have a flexible and modular architecture, ranging from basic single sensors for small vessels, to high-end, extended, fully redundant systems (including INS, GPS, log EM or Doppler, meteorological centres, echo sounders and magnetic compasses) for large surface / subsurface vessels.

An Astronautics C-MAN distributes multiple-output formats, thus supporting modern digital formats such as NMEA, high-speed data and LAN, as well as analogue, synchro and resolver formats.

C-MAN systems' unique features include:

• Automatic selection of the best data source from multiple sensors at any given time (for data such as heading, position, speed, etc.)
• A motion prediction algorithm that overcomes the computation latency, to introduce zero data

The core sensor of the C-MAN is the INS / RLG, which is a unique technology of single Monolithic (mono-block) Ring Laser Gyros (MRLG). The RLG provides all three laser axes with an optical resonator in one solid cube, but keeps the gyros functionally independent. This type of structure ensures inherent thermal and dynamic stability, as well as outstanding reliability and reduced size. This provides maximum accuracy over time; no pre-alignment or inter-axis cross-talk is needed.

OPERATING AND CONTROL WORKSTATIONS

The control and operating console uses powerful graphics based on VME or PC computers. The system is in use with the Israeli Navy to operate and control all the combat and navigation systems on-board its vessels.

The main features of Astronautics' OWS are:

• High processing power
• Powerful graphics
• Excellent ergonomic structures
• Easy maintenance

OWS HUMAN-MACHINE-INTERFACE FEATURES

Our operating work stations' main human-machine-interface features are high-resolution displays, touch-panel displays, keyboards, trackballs and joysticks, and functional and softkey surrounding for each of the displays.

The main building units of the Astronautics OWS are:

• Core computer modules
• Interchangeable upper LCD display modules: a single 20in display, or dual 20in display modules, with upper display vertical-adjustment for better operator viewpoint

The OWS withstands harsh naval environment conditions, with temperature control to prevent condensation.

OPERATING WORKSTATIONS AND COMPUTERISED DISPLAYS

Astronautics was chosen by the Israeli Navy to supply navigation system and operating workstations for the force's Saar-5 frigates and corvettes, and Dolphin submarines. Astronautics was also recently selected by the German shipyard HDW to provide the navigation system for the new Dolphin AIP class.

Astronautics consoles can be used as multi-purpose consoles, because they support all combat system operating requirements.