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VORTAC: Understanding VOR and TACAN Navigation System

By RF Wireless Expert Team

VORTAC (VOR and TACAN) is a short-range navigational aid system. It provides both bearing and distance information to aircraft. Instead of having separate VOR and TACAN ground stations, VORTAC combines both systems into a single unit.

VORTAC,VOR and TACAN

Ground Station Operation

The VORTAC ground station’s receiver (Rx) and transmitter (Tx) operate as follows:

  • VOR: Operates in the VHF band from 108 to 118 MHz.
  • TACAN (integrated with DME): Operates in the UHF band from 960 to 1215 MHz.

Aircraft Usage

  • Civilian Aircraft: Uses VOR as the receiver (Rx) system, while DME interrogator is used as both receiver (Rx) and transmitter (Tx) system.
  • Military Aircraft: Uses TACAN as both receiver (Rx) and transmitter (Tx) system.

Advantages of VORTAC

  • The VORTAC system benefits from both the VOR and TACAN systems.
  • Combining ground stations of different systems benefits in terms of cost, maintenance, and operations.

Disadvantages of VORTAC

This combined VOR and TACAN system has the same disadvantages as mentioned in VOR and TACAN systems.

GPS is more accurate compared to VORTAC. However, the VORTAC system is an optimized approach for a navigational aid ground station.

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