Patent ID: 7272472
Filing Date: 2007-09-18
Classification: G01S,G05D,G08G

Abstract:
1. A method for improving aircraft formation flying accuracy and integrity in aircraft having an aircraft formation positioning system therein comprising the steps of: transmitting from a lead aircraft a continuous RF signal and a periodic data burst said periodic data burst having lead aircraft position data; receiving in a first follower aircraft the continuous RF signal and the periodic data burst from the lead aircraft; determining in the first follower aircraft bearing, distance and elevation relative to the lead aircraft from the continuous RF signal; transmitting from the first follower aircraft an intermittent RF signal and a periodic data burst said periodic data burst having relative position data of the first follower aircraft determined from the continuous RF signal; receiving in the lead aircraft the intermittent RF signal and the periodic data burst from the first follower aircraft; performing in the lead aircraft an independent measurement of lead aircraft position relative to the first follower aircraft from the received intermittent RF signal from the first follower aircraft; correlating in the lead aircraft the independent measurement of the lead aircraft position relative to the first follower aircraft with the received periodic data burst from the first follower aircraft in a lead aircraft Kalman filter to obtain a lead aircraft position; and comparing the lead aircraft position from the Kalman filter with a known lead aircraft position to provide an indication of the aircraft formation positioning system integrity.