Rochester Avionic Archives

Tornado Terrain-Referenced Navigation (TRN) Unit

Tornado Terrain-Referenced Navigation (TRN) Unit - Photo 1
Tornado Terrain-Referenced Navigation (TRN) Unit - Photo 2
Tornado Terrain-Referenced Navigation (TRN) Unit - Photo 3
Tornado Terrain-Referenced Navigation (TRN) Unit - Photo 4
Catalogue NumberC0857
Sub-categories
LocationRack RAA08 [Main Store]
Object TypeSignal/Data Processor
DivisionCombat Aircraft Controls [CACD]
Platform
Manufacturer
Part No53-013-01
Serial No016
Dimensions
Width (mm):190
Height (mm):193
Depth (mm):372
Weight (g):13100
Inscription(s)GEC Avionics Limited TRN Unit Part 53-013-01 Ser 016 NSN Code K0656 ------------------------------ MRB 230/4972 MRB 230/4973
NotesThe SPARTAN system is housed in a ¾ ATR short LRU and contains a digital terrain database in excess of 600,000 square kilometres. High MTBF in excess of 3000 hours Low power consumption -less than 100 watts.

SPARTAN is a highly accurate, flight proven automatic navigation and terrain following system to enable low level covert operations. The system reduces cockpit workload and greatly improves mission effectiveness.
Under development for over a decade and extensively flight trialled on a variety of low level aircraft, including Tornado, A6E Intruder and F16 AFTI, SPARTAN was selected by the Ministry of Defence (UK) for the RAF's Tornado mid-life update.
The elevation profile of the terrain overflown is measured by a series of covert radar altimeter samples. This profile is compared with an on- board digital terrain database to provide rapid and continuous position fixes Once an accurate navigational position has been achieved,
SPARTAN 'looks ahead' in the database and calculates a mission optimised terrain
following flight path, which can be followed either manually, using the pilot's flight director, or automatically via the aircraft autopilot

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