Ring laser gyros come down to Earth: field test results on the RLG modular azimuth position system (MAPS)

The authors present a brief background summary leading up to MAPS. They then present a description of the Honeywell H-726 RLG (ring laser gyro) MAPS, including its functions, operations, maintainability, and performance characteristics, as well as special environmental considerations. Emphasis is placed on data obtained from the Honeywell Florida test program. Several conclusions are drawn from both engineering development and technical feasibility testing: azimuth alignment accuracies were at least 30% better than MAPS specification values; horizontal and altitude position errors were from 2.0 to 4.0 times better than specifications; and environmental factors, including rough road and cross-country operation and heavy gunfire shock, appeared to have little effect on the accuracy of the MAPS units. Of equal importance is the fact that actual MAPS unit performance correlated very well with the values predicted from the early analyses and simulations.<>