The global nature of modern warfare has resulted in a need for a precision approach and landing system that is rapidly deployable and is capable of recovering aircraft day or night under any prevailing weather conditions. Although precision landing systems such as the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Precision Approach Radar (PAR) already exist, they are only applicable to a particular type of landing mission and are not readily deployable. It is the goal of the United States military to design a Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) that is capable of meeting the requirements of all military divisions: Air Force, Army, and Navy. This includes tactical landing missions, special operations, and shipboard landing. Due to its worldwide availability, the Global Positioning System (GPS) will be the primary positioning tool used in JPALS.
At NavLab, our research is focused on the design of a high integrity navigation system that provides positioning accuracy at the centimeter level for the shipboard landing mission. In order to achieve this feat, a differential GPS architecture that uses carrier phase measurements is pursued. Seamless integration of the new navigation algorithm into existing carrier fleets requires the ability to support existing carrier landing patterns. Under adverse weather conditions, the aircraft will fly a straight landing approach (case-III approach) using instrument flight rules. If the landing occurs under favorable weather conditions, the aircraft will fly a case-I approach, which involves several banking maneuvers.
Case-I Approach
The global nature of modern warfare has resulted in a need for a precision approach and landing system that is rapidly deployable and is capable of recovering aircraft day or night under any prevailing weather conditions. Although precision landing systems such as the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Precision Approach Radar (PAR) already exist, they are only applicable to a particular type of landing mission and are not readily deployable. It is the goal of the United States military to design a Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) that is capable of meeting the requirements of all military divisions: Air Force, Army, and Navy. This includes tactical landing missions, special operations, and shipboard landing. Due to its worldwide availability, the Global Positioning System (GPS) will be the primary positioning tool used in JPALS.
