Dev.SN

A Brief History of Analog Targeting Systems

posted by LaminatorX on Tuesday March 18 2014, @09:27AM   
from the Surigao-Strait dept.

ed.goforth writes:

"Gears of war: When mechanical analog computers ruled the waves over at Ars is a quick recap of the history of naval targeting & fire control systems and the transition from analog to digital. In short, you'll never believe just how good those old designs were, and how much work it's taken to make GPS-based guidance be as accurate."

• Re:Great article, but... (Score: 5, Informative) by frojack on Tuesday March 18 2014, @04:07PM

  by frojack (1554) on Tuesday March 18 2014, @04:07PM (#18217)

  Projectiles in that day did not have Guidance fins of any kind steering. Adding GPS would not be enough, you also have to add control mechanisms to the projectile.

  Some of the 5inch guns still found on ships, were designed around the time of WWII, and do indeed have the capability to use highly sophisticated munitions. But don't discount the accuracy of dumb chunk of metal projectiles.

  Most large bore naval guns (which these days are pretty much limited to 5 inch guns) can use a variety of projectiles, some of which are simply old schools spinning projectiles which are radar monitored for corrections on subsequent shots, others are highly sophisticated saboted munitions [photoshelter.com], some with rocket assist.

  This page [defense-update.com] describes an army 155mm shell with both inertial and satellite based GPS guidance to execute course corrections through the flight.

  --
  Discussion should abhor vacuity, as space does a vacuum.

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