Adaptive Tactical Navigation Program

Abstract : The Avionics Directorate of the Wright Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base sponsored development of the Adaptive Tactical Navigation (ATN) system from 1986-1990. The ATN system, developed by TASC under contract to the United States Air Force, is a laboratory prototype which incorporates knowledge based software designed to perform navigation system management and decision aiding for the next generation of combat aircraft. The purpose of the ATN system is to manage a future multisensor navigation suite, dynamically selecting the most appropriate navigation equipment to use in accordance with mission goals, mission phase, threat environment, equipment health, equipment availability, and battle damage. The ATN system encompasses functions as diverse as sensor data interpretation, diagnosis, and navigation resource planning. This paper describes the motivation for pursuing this avenue of research, the ATN design and development processes, results obtained, and lessons learned.