High precision IFOG insertion into the strategic submarine navigation system

The importance of reducing Strategic Weapons Systems (SWS) costs is recognized by the Navy Strategic Systems Program community and is being emphasized to their contractors. In response to this need, a new navigation system has been envisioned by Boeing for strategic fleet ballistic missile (SSBN) submarine applications which holds the promise of reduced life cycle costs. The most critical and costly component of the current inertial navigation system, the Electrostatically Supported Gyro (ESG), has been in production for over 25 years. Although the Electrostatically Supported Gyro Navigator (ESGN) continues to exceed all the stringent Strategic Weapons System (SWS) performance, reliability, and maintainability requirements, ESGs are expensive to repair. In addition, the system-level electronic components are rapidly becoming obsolete and difficult to replace. An initiative is underway to reduce life cycle costs, especially maintenance costs, without any relaxation of these very stringent performance, reliability, or maintainability requirements. The key element of this initiative is new gyro technology based on rapidly improving precision IFOG performance, along with cost reduction of fiber and manufacturing processes. This paper discusses the approach currently being taken to further the development of high precision Interferometric Fiber Optic Gyro (IFOG) technology for insertion into a new SSBN inertial navigation system.