Accurate navigational data for a flight control system primarily comes from which system?

The correct answer is the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) because it encompasses various satellite systems, including the Global Positioning System (GPS), and provides precise navigational data essential for flight control systems. GNSS is designed to determine the position, velocity, and time of a receiver anywhere on Earth, which is crucial for the operation of unmanned aircraft.

While GPS, which is a specific implementation of GNSS, delivers position data, GNSS as a broader category includes additional systems, enhancing accuracy and reliability by integrating signals from multiple satellite constellations. The use of GNSS allows for continuous positioning data, enabling autonomous navigation and guidance for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) serves as an important complementary technology by providing data related to the aircraft's orientation and motion based on internal sensors. However, it does not independently provide global positioning data, which is the primary requirement for effective flight control.

The Local Positioning System, while useful for specific applications close to a reference point, lacks the global coverage necessary for broader navigational needs in the same way GNSS does. Thus, the primary source of accurate navigational data comes from GNSS.