What are the four main components of an INS?

An Inertial Navigation System (INS) primarily relies on four crucial components: accelerometers, integrators, gyros, and a computer.

Accelerometers are key elements that measure the rate of acceleration of the vehicle in motion, allowing the system to calculate changes in velocity over time. Gyros, or gyroscopes, measure angular rate and help maintain orientation and stability by providing critical data regarding the system's rotation. Integrators process the data from the accelerometers to determine the position by integrating acceleration over time, turning it into velocity and then into displacement. Lastly, the computer serves as the processing unit, calculating the navigation data and integrating the information received from the accelerometers and gyros to provide accurate position and movement data.

This combination of components ensures that the INS can effectively monitor and adjust the vehicle's navigation without relying on external references, making it particularly valuable in environments where satellite signals may be unreliable or unavailable.