Development and test results of a precision approach and landing capability for military aircraft using an embedded GPS/INS (EGI) system

Honeywell is engaged in the research and development of a Precision Approach and Landing (PAL) capability for the Embedded GPS/INS (EGI) airborne navigation system. This PAL EGI approach guidance is augmented with differential corrections from a local area differential GPS Satellite Landing System (SLS) ground station. The primary PAL EGI design goals are to meet military mission requirements, be interoperable with Commercial Airport SLS ground stations, and be compatible with existing aircraft avionics. Military requirements are being tracked via the Joint Precision Approach And Landing System (JPALS) program and civilian interoperability requirements are gleaned through the Federal Aviation Administration's Local Area Augmentation System (LAAS) program. The EGI's configurable avionics interface can deliver approach guidance to the cockpit via existing ILS-based avionics or can be tailored for unique applications. Honeywell and the USAF recently completely an evaluation of a prototype PAL EGI under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRDA) called The Have Approach demonstration. This paper details the design architecture of the PAL EGI airborne avionics as well as addresses the ground to air segment that includes both a data link interface and SLS ground station. The capabilities of the PAL EGI are described, including unique military characteristics that are only possible when the EGI is authorized for the Precise Positioning Service (PPS), and standard LAAS capabilities and technical performance. Finally, PAL EGI test results are described, including results from The Have Approach demonstration.