Strap-down microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensors for high-g munition applications

Low-cost micromachined, inertial measurement sensors have steadily emerged into the commercial marketplace. Some of these sensors were evaluated through ground and flight experiments for their insertion potential into military applications like operational test and evaluation and smart munition guidance. Performance requirements for navigation and time space position information (TSPI) are fast approaching those needed, especially when integrated with a Global Positioning System (GPS). Artillery and rockets, instrumented with "automobile grade" microelectromechanical (MEMS) accelerometers and telemetry units, were recently part of a flight experiment which resulted in good success. The results of a high-g shock study suggest that some of these sensors are rugged enough to survive both low-g and high-g launch. Analyzes of the accelerometer data show good comparison to radar-based acceleration measurements and 6-degree-of-freedom trajectory simulations. Flight simulated ground experimentation with gyroscopes have also been conducted that show promise for measuring projectile pitching and yawing behavior. Recent flight experiments may also be available for comparison to ground based measurement devices. This paper presents the results of the flight and ground experimentation and describe the challenges for using these strapdown devices on rolling projectiles.