As modern warfare shifts towards electronic warfare and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), there is an increasing demand for stabilized gimbal systems mounted on tracked vehicles to operate reliably in harsh combat environments. However, high-frequency disturbances generated by the vehicle can degrade the quality of the imagery produced by these systems. To mitigate image blur caused by vibration, elastomeric isolators are used; yet, their nonlinear behavior under shock and vibration makes performance prediction challenging. This study aims to model the nonlinear dynamics of these isolators and identify the optimal configuration. Numerical simulations were conducted to pinpoint leading candidate isolators, which were then tested through operational vibration and shock assessments on four isolators with varying stiffness. The selected isolator achieved vibration attenuation of 83% on the X-axis and 72% on the Y-axis. It also met a safety margin of 1.54 for the image sensor and demonstrated durability through endurance testing.

Inertial navigation technology originally designed for precise guidance of missiles is widely used in weapon systems. Guided missiles have become supersonic and high maneuverability with advancement of science and technology. Antivibration performance against high vibration and shock energy is accordingly required. Sensors of an Inertial Navigation System (INS) have a high sensitivity. Conversion coefficients for acceleration values and bias errors in signals must be minimized. A vibration isolator is generally applied to protect INS by attenuating the vibration and shock energy transmitted from dynamic disturbances. The stiffness and damping are changed using highly damped materials such as elastomers that must be protected from disturbances. A vibration isolator is widely used in various fields. However, it is important to understand characteristics of a vibration isolator composed of elastomer because it has nonlinearities such as hyperelasticity and viscoelastic as well as damping characteristics. In this study, a COTS vibration isolator suitable for INS was selected through theoretical approach. Response characteristics of the system in a vibration and shock environment were analyzed through FEM analysis and vibration and shock test. In addition, through repeated excitation test, reproducibility and structural stability were confirmed when the vibration isolator was installed in the system.