Extraction of Seeker to INS Misalignment Error in Air Defense Missiles

Document Type : Dynamics, Vibrations, and Control

Authors

1 Master's degree, Electrical and Control Engineering, Khajeh Nasir University, Tehran, Iran

2 PhD, Electrical-Electronic Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

In the final phase of target tracking by surface-to-air missiles, seekers play a crucial role. Precise alignment of the seeker’s angular orientation for target lock-on is of paramount importance in this process. Several sources of error can affect this alignment, leading to a reduction in tracking accuracy. One key source of error is the misalignment between the seeker antenna and the missile’s Inertial Navigation System (INS). Given the seeker’s narrow beamwidth, this misalignment can prevent the seeker from successfully locking onto the target. This error is directly related to the missile’s mechanical manufacturing tolerances and thus varies from missile to missile. Until now, this error has been considered an accepted uncertainty in missile guidance and control calculations. This paper, for the first time, presents a simple, practical, and efficient method to quantify this misalignment error, which can significantly improve the accuracy of seeker antenna handling and target lock-on, especially in long-range surface-to-air missile systems.

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History

  • Receive Date: 07 October 2025
  • Revise Date: 07 November 2025
  • Accept Date: 04 December 2025
  • Publish Date: 22 December 2025

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