LINAPS

Artillery Pointing System

LINAPS Artillery Pointing System is a revolutionary self-contained gun-mounted navigation, pointing, and weapon management system for all artillery and mortar platforms, which is now in full service with the UK, Canada, UAE, Oman, South Africa, Malaysia, and Thailand.

It has been successfully deployed on operations in the Gulf and Afghanistan with the British and Canadian Army. LINAPS enables rapid and accurate artillery deployment in all weather conditions both day and night.

Learn More

LINAPS: Precision Artillery Navigation and Pointing, Anytime, Anywhere

Continuous and accurate 3D self-location with and without GPS
Continuous determination and display of gun barrel direction and elevation
Operational under all weather conditions and at all times of day and night
Operates during helicopter lift
115 A hour power source to provide 24 hours continuous operation
Bright and flexible man-machine interface
NATO and other ballistic calculations
Accurate direct fire using ballistic kernel
Interfaces to a range of radio types

Interfacing and control of other gun sensors e.g. muzzle velocity radar and laser rangefinder (LRF)
No surveying of gun emplacement
No setting up of aiming posts or selecting known distant objects
Faster into action time
Improved accuracy and repeatability
Easy deployment
Easy concealment
Easy night deployment
Easy to use
Minimal training

Muzzle Velocity Radar (MVR)

The Muzzle Velocity Radar is a rugged, compact, and lightweight system consisting of only one unit
The system is designed to be mounted on Howitzers and other gun systems, interfacing directly to the Fire Control Computer
Calculates the muzzle velocity using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and digital signal processing. FFT based calculation enables the system to measure on all ammunition types and calibers
Up to 12 user-selectable transmitting frequencies

FIN 3120L Inertial Navigation Unit (INU)

Navigation and pointing information for LINAPS is provided by the FIN3120L INU. The INU is a rugged, unjammable navigation system based on strap-down Ring Laser Gyro technology specifically designed for artillery applications. It provides a hybrid navigation solution combining data from other sensors such as GPS and the vehicle odometer in a Kalman Filter to provide a continuous and precise navigation solution.

Whilst the INU uses GPS in its main navigation mode, it is capable of providing accurate backup navigation using odometer data, should GPS be unavailable. A military-grade P(Y) Code GPS with an antenna built into the cover of the FIN3120L is offered as a standard for approved users.

An optional C/A code version is also available. FIN 3120 also generates accurate angular information - elevation, roll, and azimuth. The capability to withstand high levels of gunfire shock has been designed into the equipment. FIN 3120 has been demonstrated at levels of gunfire shock in excess of 300g peak.

Battery Power Module (BPM)

LINAPS is powered from a gun-mounted Battery Power Module (BPM) based on lithium-ion technology with a capacity of 115 amp-hours. A single fully charged BPM is able to power LINAPS for in excess of 24 hours of continuous operation. The BPM incorporates an integral DC charger, providing 20A charging capability with a charge time of 7 hours. Accurate indications of BPM status are provided both on a 5 LED display and on the GLU.

Gun Laying Unit (GLU)

The GLU forms the heart of LINAPS. It is a highly capable product combining a touch-sensitive sunlight-readable display that provides the man-machine interface for the control and display facilities of the GMS. Its powerful processor enables fire control and ballistic calculations to be carried out as well as the capability to interface with other additional sensors and equipment.

This provides a navigation and fire control system with minimal hardware content and provides a unique single-box solution for managing key management functions:

NATO and other ballistic calculations
Accurate rapid gun-laying
Autonomous GPS/INS navigation
Interface and management of additional on gun sensors
Flexible radio interface

Detachment Commanders Data Terminal (DCDT)

The DCDT is a ruggedized, portable, tablet-style computer configured with Windows® XP Professional operating system mounted in the cab of the GTV or on a tripod at the gun.

The main features of the DCDT are:

Links BCP to GLU for the passage of ballistic target data using the Gun Display Software (GDS) hosted within the DCDT
Reads the MVI data and sends it to the BCP using the GDS
Provides display for position and steering information to the driver
Has the ability to add multi-layer mapping to show routes, waypoints, restricted areas

Horizontal Position

INS/GPS: 5m CEP
INS/Odometer: 20 m or 0.20% of distance traveled (whichever is the larger)

Vertical Position

INS/GPS: 5m PE
INS/Odometer: 15 m or 0.15% of distance travelled (whichever is the larger)
Heading Pointing: <1 mil RMS
Roll Elevation: < 0.5 mil RMS

Initialization Time

Static: 10 minutes
“On the Move”: LINAPS can be moved 90 seconds from switch-on; 10 minutes to full performance assuming GPS is available