Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2007/02/25
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]GPS weapons are used for their pin point accuracy and their ability to follow terrain. Inertial navigation is used as well, but it is inaccurate ( relative comment only). GPS is absolute position, INS is a relative position. If I were in a plane, trying to "go" somewhere, fast, stealthy, and maybe not on a direct route, I would want or need GPS. INS will not do the job as well and specifically not as accurately. If in a bomber at 600+ MPH, I do not think celestial navigation is a real player. BTW, you all realize that our satellites ( including GPS satellites) are all based upon celestial navigation themselves? ( Look up star trackers....) GPS satellites are in specific orbits to cover an area of the world. You do not need to take them all out only those that are functional in an area of interest. If I remember correctly, in any area, there are 6 satellites in use. The other 18 ( or whatever) do not "shine over" the area of interest. Trivia...... the original application for commercial use of GPS was for shipping, to keep ships off sand bars. Frank Filippone red735i@earthlink.net