What does an Inertial Navigation System (INS) primarily utilize for navigation?

An Inertial Navigation System (INS) primarily utilizes accelerometers and gyroscopes for navigation. These sensors work together to measure the aircraft's acceleration and angular velocity, allowing the system to calculate the position, velocity, and orientation of the vehicle over time.

Accelerometers sense changes in velocity by measuring linear acceleration, while gyroscopes detect changes in orientation by measuring rotational movement. This data is integrated over time to create a continuous estimation of the aircraft’s trajectory.

INS is particularly advantageous in environments where GPS signals are weak or unavailable, such as in tunnels or underwater. It operates independently of external references, ensuring that navigation continues based on the vehicle's internal measurements.

The other options, while related to navigation, do not accurately represent the core technology utilized by an INS. For instance, GPS signals provide external position data but do not form the foundational components of an inertial navigation system. Similarly, magnetic compasses offer directional information but are not used in the inertial measurement process. Radar systems, while useful in certain navigation applications, measure distance and speed relative to objects and are not fundamental to the operation of an INS.