On a new lightweight, low-cost, high-g, seeker gimbal

Missile Defense Agency (MDA) seeks to advance the state-of-the-art in missile seeker gimbals. Improved performance during high-g is important for the new generation of hypersonic missiles. Recent emphasis has been toward reduced size, weight and power (SWAP) systems that may be mass produced and cost effective. Ross-Hime Designs, Inc. (RHD) Minneapolis, Minnesota has met these requirements by a new patent pending, dexterous and compact gimbal architecture and rigorously adhering to a Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) design philosophy. The gimbal is designed to accommodate electrical and cryogenic elements, assuming gimbal sensor element operation between 68-120 K. Detailed gimbal test results conclude this paper.