Standard INS Program Status

Abstract

In December 1976, Aeronautical Systems Division was directed to establish a competitive development program for a form, fit and function medium accuracy inertial navigation system which would be provided as government furnished equipment to aircraft production and modification programs. Start of the program was delayed due to funding problems; however, contracts were finally awarded in June 1978 to Litton Systems, Rockwell International and The Singer Company for each to design, develop and test four preproduction Standard Inertial Navigation Systems. The preproduction program involved extensive testing at the Central Inertial Guidance Test Facility (CIGTF), Holloman AFB, NM and A-10 flight testing at the Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC), Edwards AFB, CA. F-16 Systems Integration Lab (SIL) testing and multiplex data bus compliance testing were also conducted. In addition to these tests, the contractors performed production verification tests, safety of flight tests and a maintainability demonstration. Preliminary CIGTF and AFFTC flight test results are presented. During the preproduction program, studies were performed to develop an acquisition and logistics support approach for the initial production application, the A-10 aircraft. Four logistics support approaches were selected for life cycle cost evaluation during the production source selection. The acquisition and logistics support approach is described. The preproduction effort was structured to support the production source selection. A $33.7 million production contract was awarded to Litton Industries on January 31, 1980 for 237 inertial navigation units. Details of the production contract are presented. The paper concludes with a discussion of future Standard INS competition. The key to success for the Standard INS program is the ability to maintain viable competition.