GPS:GPS: Modern Military Marvels Modern Military Marvels and Moreand More

Meka AsonyeMeka Asonye

Origins of GPSOrigins of GPS

First idea came after the launch of Russian First idea came after the launch of Russian Satellite SputnikSatellite Sputnik– Two Scientists At JHU realized they could pinpoint the Two Scientists At JHU realized they could pinpoint the

location of the satellite by analyzing the Doppler shift location of the satellite by analyzing the Doppler shift of its radio signals during a single pass.of its radio signals during a single pass.

– Frank McClure, then chairman of APL's Research Frank McClure, then chairman of APL's Research Center, went a step further by suggesting that if the Center, went a step further by suggesting that if the satellite's position were known and predictable, the satellite's position were known and predictable, the Doppler shift could be used to locate a receiver on Doppler shift could be used to locate a receiver on Earth; in other words, one could navigate by satellite. Earth; in other words, one could navigate by satellite.

http://hurlbut.jhuapl.edu/Transit/index.html

TransitTransit

After the JHU’s scientists discoveries, the After the JHU’s scientists discoveries, the US navy began research for a system US navy began research for a system known as transit in 1958.known as transit in 1958.The first prototype satellite was launched The first prototype satellite was launched in September 1959, and the system in September 1959, and the system entered Naval service in 1964.The system entered Naval service in 1964.The system provided passive, accurate, reliable, all-provided passive, accurate, reliable, all-weather global navigation for Navy weather global navigation for Navy submarines and surface ships submarines and surface ships

http://hurlbut.jhuapl.edu/Transit/index.html

Transit’s ImportanceTransit’s Importance

Provided crucial navigation to Submarines Provided crucial navigation to Submarines that needed to stay submerged.that needed to stay submerged.– Submarines use periscopes to navigate but Submarines use periscopes to navigate but

these did not provide the necessary accuracy these did not provide the necessary accuracy to guide the vessels to their targets.to guide the vessels to their targets.

More importantly, Transit was used by US More importantly, Transit was used by US submarines carrying Polaris Nuclear Missiles.submarines carrying Polaris Nuclear Missiles.

http://hurlbut.jhuapl.edu/Transit/index.html

Transit Transit

The Transit constellation consisted of two The Transit constellation consisted of two types of satellites designated as Oscar types of satellites designated as Oscar and Nova. The final constellation and Nova. The final constellation consisted of six satellites (all Oscars) in a consisted of six satellites (all Oscars) in a polar orbit, three ground control stations, polar orbit, three ground control stations, and receivers. Of the six satellites, three and receivers. Of the six satellites, three Oscars provided navigation service while Oscars provided navigation service while three other Oscars were "stored-in-orbit" three other Oscars were "stored-in-orbit" spares. spares.

http://hurlbut.jhuapl.edu/Transit/index.html

Transit’s SatellitesTransit’s Satellites

NOVAOSCAR

TransitTransit - - East Coast, West Coast, Worldwide!East Coast, West Coast, Worldwide!

Popularity of the system grows as system Popularity of the system grows as system is opened up to commercial used.is opened up to commercial used.Transit eventually boosts tens of Transit eventually boosts tens of thousands of users – military and civilian.thousands of users – military and civilian. Transit proved essential for the recovery Transit proved essential for the recovery at sea of early manned space vehicles, at sea of early manned space vehicles, and it became the standard for precision and it became the standard for precision land surveying and the locations of land surveying and the locations of platforms at sea platforms at sea

Transit – A step in the right Transit – A step in the right directiondirection

Although Transits’ use began to die out, it Although Transits’ use began to die out, it was not retired until 1996, an astonishing was not retired until 1996, an astonishing 32 years of use.32 years of use.

More importantly, systems such as More importantly, systems such as Transit, led to the development of our Transit, led to the development of our current GPS constellation.current GPS constellation.

Modern GPSModern GPS

Military developed constellation of 27 Military developed constellation of 27 satellites.satellites.

Our modern GPS primary purpose is to Our modern GPS primary purpose is to serve the military although, civilian users serve the military although, civilian users now outnumber military users.now outnumber military users.

GPS SatellitesGPS Satellites

Each of these 3,000- to 4,000-pound solar-powered satellites circles the globe at about 12,000 miles (19,300 km), making two complete rotations every day. The orbits are arranged so that at any time, anywhere on Earth, there are at least four satellites "visible" in the sky.

Military GPS ApplicationsMilitary GPS Applications

Cruise Missiles, Artillery, bombs, etc.Cruise Missiles, Artillery, bombs, etc.

Star Wars DefenseStar Wars Defense

Submarine NavigationSubmarine Navigation

In the news: Captain Scott O ‘ GradyIn the news: Captain Scott O ‘ Grady

Combating TerrorismCombating Terrorism

Cruise MissilesCruise Missiles

Cruise missile is a generic term for self-Cruise missile is a generic term for self-propelled guided weapons which fly like propelled guided weapons which fly like normal aircraft for much of their flight.normal aircraft for much of their flight.

Almost all cruise missiles now are outfitted Almost all cruise missiles now are outfitted with GPS for navigation.with GPS for navigation.

Pentagon’s favorite little toy.Pentagon’s favorite little toy.

Tomahawks in ActionTomahawks in Action

Tomahawk layoutTomahawk layoutLENGTH: 5.56 meters (18ft) LENGTH: 5.56 meters (18ft) WEIGHT: 1,300kg (aprox 2,200 WEIGHT: 1,300kg (aprox 2,200 lbs) lbs) WING SPAN: 2.67 meters (nearly WING SPAN: 2.67 meters (nearly 9ft) 9ft) RANGE: 1,600km RANGE: 1,600km SPEED: 880km/h (550mph) SPEED: 880km/h (550mph) 1. Infrared imagery sensor 1. Infrared imagery sensor 2. "DSMAC" guidance system 2. "DSMAC" guidance system 3. Data/Communications link3. Data/Communications link4. 1,000lb conventional warhead4. 1,000lb conventional warhead5. "DSMAC" illuminator5. "DSMAC" illuminator6. Fuel cell6. Fuel cell7. "TERCOM" terrain matching 7. "TERCOM" terrain matching systemsystem8. Turbojet subsonic engine8. Turbojet subsonic engine

Source: BBC

Tomahawk – Just how do they Tomahawk – Just how do they work?work?

Stage 1: LaunchStage 1: Launch– Paul Revere would be Paul Revere would be

proud proud – 1 if by Land1 if by Land– 2 if by Sea2 if by Sea– 3 if by Air3 if by Air

1

2 3

Tomahawk – GPS’ JobTomahawk – GPS’ JobCruise missiles receive an Cruise missiles receive an initial thrust from a initial thrust from a detachable booster before detachable booster before onboard systems take onboard systems take over. Once airborne, it over. Once airborne, it releases its wings and releases its wings and switches on navigational switches on navigational and communication and communication systems. systems. The missile is guided at The missile is guided at this early stage by GPS this early stage by GPS and onboard calculations and onboard calculations based on its movements based on its movements since launch.since launch.

Tomahawk – TERCOMTomahawk – TERCOM

TERCOM – Terrain TERCOM – Terrain Contour MatchingContour Matching

Tomahawk missiles Tomahawk missiles carries a 3-D map of its carries a 3-D map of its route. route.

In theory, TERCOM In theory, TERCOM allows cruise missiles to allows cruise missiles to avoid detection.avoid detection.

Tomahawk - DSMACTomahawk - DSMAC

DSMAC – Digital Scene DSMAC – Digital Scene Matching Area Matching Area CorrelationCorrelation

Basically a search and Basically a search and destroy systemdestroy system

Only as good as the Only as good as the intelligence that the intelligence that the system is based onsystem is based on

Most accurate of all Most accurate of all guidance systems used in guidance systems used in cruise missilescruise missiles

Tomahawk – Final DestinationTomahawk – Final Destination

US military claims US military claims missiles are 90% missiles are 90% accurate.accurate.

1,000lb warhead 1,000lb warhead detonatesdetonates

Tomahawk – GPS’ roleTomahawk – GPS’ role

This technology would be impossible This technology would be impossible without the use of GPS guiding the missile without the use of GPS guiding the missile from its launch point to targets sometimes from its launch point to targets sometimes over 1000 miles awayover 1000 miles away

The continuing advancement in GPS and The continuing advancement in GPS and other related technologies has other related technologies has dramatically decreased the cost of a dramatically decreased the cost of a standard cruise missile.standard cruise missile.

Tomahawk – Future OutlookTomahawk – Future Outlook

Improved Target Improved Target recognition and recognition and improved efficiency improved efficiency with missileswith missiles

Missile re-routingMissile re-routing

Send live images back Send live images back to baseto base

GPS and other military usesGPS and other military uses

US army is developing artillery shells that would US army is developing artillery shells that would have GPS guidance.have GPS guidance.

Pentagon allocated new resources to Excalibur Pentagon allocated new resources to Excalibur artillery shellsartillery shells

Compared to current 155- millimeter shells, Compared to current 155- millimeter shells, which typically land more than 370 yards from which typically land more than 370 yards from their target, Excalibur shells could hit within 10 their target, Excalibur shells could hit within 10 yards of their targets and have a much greater yards of their targets and have a much greater range (more than 35 miles). range (more than 35 miles).

Star Wars Defense SystemStar Wars Defense System

Idea has been around since the 80’sIdea has been around since the 80’s

Basically, it would be a system that would Basically, it would be a system that would protect the US and its allies from missile protect the US and its allies from missile attacks by shooting missiles down before attacks by shooting missiles down before they reached US airspace.they reached US airspace.

Based off of GPS technologyBased off of GPS technology

Scandal hitsScandal hits

According to the press reports at the time, "An According to the press reports at the time, "An interceptor rocket launched from a remote Pacific atoll interceptor rocket launched from a remote Pacific atoll managed to hit a mock nuclear warhead launched from managed to hit a mock nuclear warhead launched from California, nearly 240km above the Pacific Ocean. It was California, nearly 240km above the Pacific Ocean. It was the first test of the "hit-to-kill" system since George W the first test of the "hit-to-kill" system since George W Bush took office, and the first of a total of four tests Bush took office, and the first of a total of four tests reported to have been wholly successful. (The test reported to have been wholly successful. (The test missile) managed to disregard the decoy that the missile) managed to disregard the decoy that the Minuteman was carrying and smash into its intended Minuteman was carrying and smash into its intended target. "We believe we have a successful test in all target. "We believe we have a successful test in all aspects the kill intercept was confirmed by all of our aspects the kill intercept was confirmed by all of our sensors," said Lt General Ronald Kadish, speaking at sensors," said Lt General Ronald Kadish, speaking at the Pentagon."the Pentagon."

Scandal – (cont.)Scandal – (cont.)

A successful test of the system was vital for the political A successful test of the system was vital for the political fortunes of the administration. "Missile defence has been fortunes of the administration. "Missile defence has been brought into sharp focus by a test planned for Saturday - brought into sharp focus by a test planned for Saturday - the first since Mr Bush took office. Previous tests had the first since Mr Bush took office. Previous tests had ended in failure. A US arms control expert said ended in failure. A US arms control expert said Saturday's test would prove critical to Mr BushSaturday's test would prove critical to Mr BushThe test had been designed to be as easy as possible. If The test had been designed to be as easy as possible. If Saturday's test is not successful, Democrats will have a Saturday's test is not successful, Democrats will have a powerful position from which to fight the Pentagon's powerful position from which to fight the Pentagon's request for a 57% increase in the program's budget." request for a 57% increase in the program's budget."

Shame on you, Mr. BushShame on you, Mr. Bush

Dummy nuke that Dummy nuke that was shot down was was shot down was shown to have a GPS shown to have a GPS receiver attached to it.receiver attached to it.

In my opinion the Star In my opinion the Star Wars system is a Wars system is a waste of the 9 billion waste of the 9 billion dollars it is allotted dollars it is allotted every year for every year for research.research.

GPS – The Life SaverGPS – The Life Saver

June 6, 1995 – Captain Scott O Grady June 6, 1995 – Captain Scott O Grady shot down behind enemy lines in Bosniashot down behind enemy lines in Bosnia

O’ Grady’s survival pack contained a GPS O’ Grady’s survival pack contained a GPS receiver.receiver.

GPS and HollywoodGPS and Hollywood

Combating TerrorismCombating Terrorism

9/11 revisited9/11 revisited– The Federal Aviation The Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA) is Administration (FAA) is working on two GPS-working on two GPS-based systems that based systems that would protect from would protect from hijackershijackers

THE ENDTHE END