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Rockwell Collins Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver, Furuno USA's GP-36, and Argonaut Computer's Marinus MPC are among components of the differential global positioning system (GPS) (DGPS) moving map systems under development by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), which has funded the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) Moving-Map Capabilities (MMC) team (Code 7440.1) Stennis Space Center. The research could result in AAVs (amphibious assault vehicles) being equipped with digital navigation tools, such as a moving map, that could assist an AAV driver in controlling the vehicle by displaying its current location and track, with waypoints ahead and lane boundaries. Goals include determination of which navigation should be shown; combining the information with correct lane coordinates; displaying the lane as an overlay on an electronic chart; and evaluation of AAV driver response to such displays. The U.S. Marine Corps will test the Data Automated Communications System (DACT) to be deployed by of the AAV platform, which will provide some electronic charting ability. However, not all vehicles will receive the system. Topics covered include background, system components, testing, results, and conclusions. The Naval Research Laboratory investigated, developed, and showed moving map software on commercial off the shelf (COTS) hardware, and the demonstrated system provides an improved means of guiding AAV drivers through a cleared lane to the beach during an amphibious assault in the presence of mines.
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