85. SHOCK DESIGN FOR MK-49 ISOLATION
The Sperry Marine MK 49 Ship’s Inertial Navigation System (SINS) is now in production for marine surface and subsurface applications. This system has been selected as the standard NATO SINS equipment and is the only marine inertial navigator which utilizes ring laser gyros. In order to serve the NATO community, the system must withstand a variety of shock stimuli (STANAG 4141, STANAG 4142, BR3021, etc.). Sperry Marine has shock hardened the system enclosures and developed a shock isolation system for the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) using tension compression liquid spring/dampers in a hexapod configuration. This isolator assembly provides the shock attenuation and precision angular alignment return ability that is needed to meet the above specifications. This paper addresses the design process to shock harden the IMU and presents experimental results.