Can cruise missiles or drones have an alternate and inexpensive navigation system if GPS is jammed by the enemy?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 11:59:35 -0500

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2353060-russia-is-jamming-more-gps-satellite-signals-around-moscow/

I remember reading somewhere that cruise missiles in the past would have a digital picture copy of the target to verify which Target to destroy. I'm wondering if there is an alternate guidance system that could be put into drones that would do the same thing and look for the Target and it's database before actually hitting it. Does anybody know if other less reliable Technologies can get it close to the Target and then it looks for it before attacking?

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2353060-russia-is-jamming-more-gps-satellite-signals-around-moscow/

Russia is jamming more GPS satellite signals around Moscow

A rise in the jamming of satellite navigation within Russia follows attacks by drones on Russian airbases and may be designed to deter further strikes

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Dec 28 at 2022 12:14 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 12:14:34 -0500

I don't know about looking for a target, but GPS wasn't widely available until Desert Storm and we were still able to hit targets pretty accurately if we knew the coordinates. The Early Tomahawk Cruise Missiles used something called Digital Scene Matching Area Corellator (DSMAC). How that actually worked is beyond my paygrade.

Response by COL Randall C. made Dec 28 at 2022 12:23 PM

COL Randall C. — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 12:23:00 -0500

Can they? Absolutely. Do they? Depends on the model.

Many drones use alternate (or even primary) internal navigation systems (INS) that can be accurate up to a half meter. Alternate guidance systems that couldn't be jammed include onboard gyroscopic stabilized on par with the one in this article* and terrain matching algorithms with an internal terrain database (without going into details ... think of a highly accurate LIDAR terrain database with a mission parameter profile).

Not a 'terrain' guy (other being intel), but being in charge for a while of NGA's support to the tactical Army gave more than I ever wanted to know about GIS, how it was integrated into current/future weapon systems, what databases are used, etc.
-----------------------------------
* U of M high-accuracy gyroscope - https://www.fierceelectronics.com/sensors/gyroscope-allows-navigation-without-a-gps
* https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-lidar-data-and-where-can-i-download-it

Just a moment...

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Dec 28 at 2022 12:34 PM

LTC Eugene Chu — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 12:34:58 -0500

1. Article is behind a pay wall
2. Jamming GPS around Moscow might be irrelevant. While jamming drones or cruise missiles may protect the Russian capitol, Ukraine may focus their targeting elsewhere. One example is recent attack on Russian air base in Engels. It is over 800 km southeast of Moscow and more lucrative of a target based on stationing of its bombers.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64092183

Ukraine war: Drone attack on Russian bomber base leaves three dead

The airbase, used by Russian planes targeting Ukraine, is hit for the second time this month.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Dec 28 at 2022 2:26 PM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 14:26:56 -0500

Think I can safely say this, if you don't hear from me for a while I couldn't. Cruise missiles use map matching throughout their flight. Various checkpoints are programmed in and the missile will correct its flight path based on that programming. In theory there is no reason that technology couldn't work for drones if there isn't a weight issue for having it. Obviously I know nothing about drones, but if the imagery exists I think they could use map matching technology.

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Dec 28 at 2022 3:27 PM

LTC Trent Klug — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 15:27:57 -0500

I don't know as I'm just an old grunt/MP. Now if you ask Mr the max range of my crew served weapons, I'd answer it no problem. ;^)

Response by PFC Edgar Mosier made Jan 29 at 2023 9:00 PM

PFC Edgar Mosier — Sun, 29 Jan 2023 21:00:41 -0500

Simple answer: Paint the Target, Forward Observers.
GIS-guideance cannot be any more precise. And, that painting can be remotely done, even.

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Jan 29 at 2023 9:36 PM

LTC Trent Klug — Sun, 29 Jan 2023 21:36:50 -0500

I'm sure they can. I'd imagine we had already thought of that.

Response by WO1 Jerame Dooly made Feb 23 at 2023 11:12 AM

WO1 Jerame Dooly — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 11:12:59 -0500

Alternate yes, inexpensive no. could you imagine Raytheon making an inexpensive anything.