GPS Tracking and Autonomous Flight Termination System
Originally developed in 1998, SIL was the first company to develop, qualify, and fly the first fully integrated GPS Metric Tracking and Autonomous Flight Termination System (AFTS) for launch vehicles. SIL has continued to focus on and advance this product line and currently offers a variety of autonomous flight safety systems and GPS tracking systems within the Vehicle Based Independent Range System (VBITS) and Vehicle Based Independent Range System (VBIRS) product lines.
The flexibility and scalability of the VBITS is central to its ability to support a variety of DOD and NASA mission and aerospace platform needs. Its modular design enables users to specify a fully COTS configuration, or configure the unit to meet new requirements. Furthermore, as GPS technology advances, the VBITS can be upgraded by changing its modules to provide forward and backward system compatibility.
Features:
- A common GPS metric tracking system for multiple aerospace platforms
- Time, space and position information with direct input into range safety systems
- Real-time S-Band data link
- Beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) data tracking
- Near plug-n-play installation
- Flexibility and scalability
- Forward and backward system compatibility
- Reduced life cycle cost
- Reduced range instrumentation operations and maintenance and launch range costs