What is the role of the computer in an inertial navigation system?

In an inertial navigation system, the primary role of the computer is to convert distance traveled into positional data. The system relies on a combination of accelerometers and gyroscopes to sense changes in velocity and orientation. As the vehicle moves, the inertial navigation system continuously measures its acceleration and rotation, and the computer processes this information to calculate the current position, velocity, and orientation of the vehicle relative to a starting point. This conversion is critical as it enables accurate navigation without relying on external references, making it particularly valuable in environments where GPS signals may be weak or unavailable.

The notion that the computer's main function is to manage flight data recording, model weather conditions, or oversee fuel consumption, while relevant in other contexts, does not encapsulate the core purpose of positioning within an inertial navigation framework. Instead, the focus remains on precise calculations that derive positional data from dynamic movement, underscoring the importance of accurate and real-time computations in navigation.