The USS Pasadena (SSN-75) is a Los Angeles class submarine and the third ship of the United States Navy named after Pasadena (California). It is equipped with a variety of navigation systems, all of which have their own unique features and capabilities. The most commonly used navigation system on the USS Pasadena is the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS). This space-based radio navigation system provides continuous and extremely accurate three-dimensional signals of position, speed and timing.
It is permanently mounted at various locations on Earth, and can also use satellites to track the recorded movement of the ship. This system is used to align the inertial navigation system and, in turn, the inertial navigation system can assist the GPS in its acquisition and tracking of satellites. Pilotage is another navigation system used on the USS Pasadena. This method involves determining the position of a ship by reference to reference points with known positions on Earth. This contrasts with the LORAN and Omega systems, which fix the position of the ship by measuring its position relative to a known object. The LORAN and Omega systems are also used on board the USS Pasadena.
These systems are used to fix the position of a ship by measuring its position relative to a known object. This method contrasts with pilotage, which determines the position of a ship by reference to reference points with known positions on Earth. The USS Pasadena also uses GPS for its navigation needs. GPS can be used to align the inertial navigation system and, in turn, the inertial navigation system can assist the GPS in its acquisition and tracking of satellites. The indirect calculation can be as basic as a DR line to determine the course and speed on a plot sheet or as sophisticated as inertial navigation systems that measure the movement of a ship in several planes and integrate the result to estimate its location with very good precision. The Ship Inertial Navigation System (SINS) is another navigation system used on board the USS Pasadena.
This autonomous, high-precision, all-weather navigation system is used on aircraft carriers, submarines, and surface fighters equipped with SM-2 (ER), AEGIS or Tomahawk systems. A stabilized platform with three gyroscopes remains in a horizontal position regardless of the boat's tilt, roll, and yaw. This platform keeps the accelerometers in a horizontal position despite changes in the ship's movements. Finally, VMS is available in schools and simulators in the same configuration as on ships. The position of a ship can be set electronically in case of fog or bad weather when it is impossible to orient itself visually.
Once communications are established and the ship approaches the testing area of the SESEF facility, it will verify that the TACAN is transmitting, that the gyroscope input is on, and that the appropriate magnetic variation has been established. In conclusion, all these navigation systems are used for different purposes on board the USS Pasadena. NAVSTAR GPS provides continuous signals for positioning, speed and timing; pilotage helps determine its position by reference to reference points; LORAN and Omega systems fix its position relative to a known object; GPS assists in acquisition and tracking of satellites; SINS provides autonomous high-precision all-weather navigation; VMS helps set its position electronically when visibility is poor.
