How Does a Tacan Work

The TACAN periodically transmits its identification call sign in Morse code to enable aircraft to determine which ground station they are using. Distance reply signals are transmitted upon request. TACAN receives an interrogation code from an aircraft, delays it and retransmits the same code back to the aircraft.

What is difference between TACAN and VOR?

VOR stands for VHF Omnidirectional Range. It is a navigation beacon intended for civil use and provides a user with a radial to/from the station. It works on frequencies between 108.00 and 117.95 MHz. TACAN stands for TACtical Air Navigation, a military system that is similar to VOR but with higher accuracy.

Can we use TACAN?

Military use the two last signals (TACAN) and the VOR as a backup if they are equipped, which is normally the case. Pure TACAN have only the UHF bearing determination signal and the DME signal. Their little size, compared to a VOR-DME, allow them to be used on ships.