Fiber Optic Gyro Development for Navy Shipboard Inertial Reference Applications

This paper describes NCCOSC RDT&E Division Detachment's assessment of the viability of using fiber optic gyro technology for Navy shipboard inertial reference system applications. Industry fiber optic gyro designs are investigated, tested and evaluated. This will result in assessment of gyro performance, identification of sensor technology deficiencies, and promotion of industry development tasks for fiber optic gyro enhancement. NCCOSC has completed an in-house laboratory evaluation of two industry first generation interferometric fiber optic gyro (IFOG) designs and is currently directing the development of a second generation IFOG that will be suitable for shipboard gyrocompass system applications. This new development incorporates sensor component and architecture advances made by industry to resolve the deficiencies found to be present in first-generation IFOGs. Litton Guidance and Control Systems was awarded a contract to develop an IFOG design for use in high accuracy stabilized shipboard gyrocompass equipment. The gyrocompass IFOGs design and gyro acceptance testing of the two demonstration IFOGs conducted at the Litton Woodland Hills facility is described. Acceptance test results are presented and are shown to be consistent with contract requirements. A discussion of the ongoing laboratory evaluation by NCCOSC of the Litton hardware deliverables is also provided.