Collins to develop inertial sensor for future UK weapons platforms

Collins Aerospace has been awarded a multi-million-pound programme as part of the United Kingdom’s Weapons Sector Research Framework (WSRF) to develop a navigation-grade Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) for use in…


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Collins Aerospace has been awarded a multi-million-pound programme as part of the United Kingdom’s Weapons Sector Research Framework (WSRF) to develop a navigation-grade Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) for use in future complex weapons platforms.

In conjunction with the Defence Science Technology Laboratory (DSTL), Collins will use its industry-leading expertise to develop a tactical grade or “Class A” IMU using Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology, in line with the UK’s Ministry of Defence initiatives.

‘Weapons of the future require higher grade navigation capability’

“Complex weapons of the future require a higher grade of IMU navigation capability that can withstand harsher environments,” said Stuart Cooper, IMU value stream leader for Collins Aerospace.

“Over our 100-year history in inertial systems design, Collins has delivered hundreds of thousands of IMUs to both the military and commercial markets. Our forthcoming multi-year relationship with DSTL will provide enhanced capability to our users worldwide.”

Lower cost and smaller form

Used for guidance and navigation on a wide range of multi-domain platforms, the new MEMS-based IMU will ensure required performance whilst targeting a lower cost and smaller form factor than current RLG (ring laser gyro) and FOG (fibre optic gyro) solutions.

Collins Aerospace will conduct development work at its engineering and manufacturing facility in Plymouth and with its advanced technology team in Bristol.

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