The century of inertial navigation technology

In the early 1930´s, visionary engineers and scientists began thinking about practical self-contained systems for the guidance, navigation, and control of aerospace vehicles in inertial space. Starting with the development of the first gyro compass in 1908, this technology was perfected in the race for improved intercontinental ballistic missile accuracy. Since the end of the cold war, the technology has continued to advance with a focus on systems of lower size, weight and power for a given accuracy. Future systems promise to revolutionize guidance, navigation, and control, with complete low cost inertial measurement units as small as 0.03 cubic inches. This paper reviews the history of the innovations and achievements in inertial guidance technology in the 20^th century, and projects the possibilities into the 21^st century. The development of inertial guidance technology is traced from its birth to its current broad base application status in aircraft, strategic missiles, satellites, and undersea vehicles