TACAN+ Tactical Airborne Navigation System

Product overview

The L3Harris Tactical Airborne Navigation System, TACAN+, provides efficiency, reduces costs and offers flexibility to pilots on various helicopter and military aircraft platforms. It is the only TACAN able to run four TACAN/DME ground stations simultaneously, and two in bearing, with a tracking velocity at 1800 knots. It also provides optimized Air-to-Air ranging performance for multi-aircraft scenarios with a software-controlled dual antenna switching and configuration and enables interface flexibility with A429 input and output ports for communication. One of the system’s most noted features is the high power packed into the world’s lightest and smallest TACAN ever produced, weighing only 5.2 pounds with a 750-watt transceiver for easy maintenance port.

Key features

Military-grade reliability

Designed for air-to-air and air-to-ground operations, TACAN+ meets MIL-STD 291C and NATO STANAG-5034. It has been tested to MIL-STD-810G, MIL-STD-704 and MIL-461E, and meets DO-160F helicopter vibration levels. The TACAN+ system features lightning-protected circuitry and is subjected to Highly Accelerated Stress Screening (HASS) and Highly Accelerated Life Testing (HALT) for maximum system reliability.

Flexible controllers and indicators

The L3Harris TACAN+ incorporates a Sine/Cosine bearing output along with a CDI interface per ARINC 547, and low- and high-level flags per ARINC 547 and 579. This bearing information is pilot-selectable, from either the number one (1) or number two (2) tracking channels. The TACAN+ provides an ARINC 568 Digital Range output from either the number one (1) or number two (2) tracking channels for display of range information on remote EFIS or HSI displays.

Air to Air (A-A) mode

TACAN+ uniquely features two automatically enabled Air-Air (A-A) Transmit-Receive modes providing seamless and enhanced tactical capability, multiple mission capability, and overall operational value not found on other TACAN products. If no A-A bearing signal is detected, TACAN+ enters a High Signal Dynamics 20-Meter mode. In this mode, the TACAN+ receiver is configured to accommodate the strongest received A-A signal and still ensure adequate reception of other weaker signal participating aircraft. This mode enables multiple TACAN+ equipped aircraft to track a ‘lead’ aircraft across a wide range of flying scenarios, down to a minimum closest follower distance of 20 meters. Upon detecting an A-A bearing (Beacon) signal, TACAN+ automatically exits the High Signal Dynamics 20-Meter mode, and enters the Beacon Tracking mode. In the Beacon Tracking mode, the receiver is configured for optimal reception and tracking of the Beacon signal source.

Product specifications

SPECIFICATIONS
PHYSICAL	TACAN+ Receiver-Transmitter: 5.2 lb. (2.36 kg) ID-2502 Display Unit: 0.4 lb. (0.18 kg) TACAN+ Mounting Tray: 0.4 lb. (0.18 kg) Control Units: F3849: 1.25 lb. (0.567 kg) F6555: 2.0 lb. (0.907 kg)
SIZE	TACAN+ Receiver-Transmitter: 4.97 in. (H) x 3.45 in. (W) x 10.75 in. (D) (12.62 cm x 8.76 cm x 27.31 cm) ID-2502 Display Unit - 1/2 3ATI x 6.9 in. (17.53 cm) Control Units: F3849 - 2.4 in. x 2.8 in. (6.10 cm x 7.11 cm) F6555 - 2.24 in. x 5.75 in. (5.69 cm x 14.6 cm)
POWER REQUIREMENTS	TACAN+ Receiver-Transmitter - 18 VDC to 32 VDC @ 1.5 amps Max. ID-2502 Display Unit - 18 VDC to 32 VDC @ 0.25 amps Max. Control Units: F3849, F6555 - 5 VDC to 28 VDC @ 0.15 amps Max.
TEMPERATURE	TACAN+ Receiver-Transmitter - -54 °C to +71 °C ID-2502 Display Unit - -20 °C to +71 °C Control Units: F3849, F6555 - -20 °C to +71 °C
ALTITUDE	TACAN+ Receiver-Transmitter - to 70,000 feet ID-2502 Display Unit - to 55,000 feet Control Units: F3849, F6555 - to 70,000 feet
CHANNELS	252 (consisting of 126 X Mode and 126 Y Mode Channels) 126 Channels for Air-to-Air Ranging (MIL-STD-291C & NATO STANAG 5034)
FREQUENCY RANGE	RECEIVER - 962 to 1213 MHz (All 252 X and Y Mode Channels) TRANSMITTER - 1025 to 1150 MHz (All 252 X and Y Mode Channels) AIR-TO-AIR MODE - 126 Channels (63 X Mode and 63 Y Mode)
COOLING	TACAN+ Receiver-Transmitter & ID-2502 Display Unit - Conduction & Convection
VIBRATION	TACAN+ Receiver-Transmitter - DO-160F Cat U2FF1 Helicopter Vibration Levels
RANGE	Capability - 0.0-400 nm Tracking Capability Accuracy - ± 0.1 nm 0 to 399.9 nm Display Resolution ID-2502 - ±0.1 nm from 0.0 to 99.9, ± 1.0 nm from 100 nm to 400 nm ARINC 568 - 0.0 – 399 ± 0.1 nm
POWER OUTPUT	500 Watts peak minimum, 750 Watts peak typical
RECEIVER SENSITIVITY	85 dBm minimum for range 79 dBm minimum for bearing
RANGE	Capability: 0.0-400 nm Tracking Capability Accuracy: ± 0.1 nm 0 to 399.9 nm Display Resolution ID-2502: ±0.1 nm from 0.0 to 99.9, ± 1.0 nm from 100 nm to 400 nm ARINC 568: 0.0 – 399 ± 0.1 nm
RANGE TRACKING RATE	0 nm to 1800 nm per hour
GROUND SPEED	(ID-2502 DISPLAY) 0 Kts to 999 Kts ± 1 Kt or 1% within 30 seconds
TIME-TO-STATION	(ID-2502 DISPLAY) 0-99 Minutes ± 1 Minute within 30 seconds
BEARING ACCURACY	Accuracy 0.5 degrees digital; ± 1.0 degress analog – Radial; Track rate: 10 degrees/sec
MEMORY TIME	8 seconds nominal range and bearing
ACQUISITION TIME	3 sec. to 5 sec. nominal range and bearing
ID TONE	10 MW at 1350 Hz into a 600 Ohm load (Level Adjustable)
STATION IDENT	Up to 4 letters (Displayed on ID-2502)
SYSTEM IDENT	Automatic upon system turn on and background testing during operation
DISTANCE OUTPUTS	ARINC 568 Pulse Pair* (Output limited to 204.0 nm) 40 mv/nm* (Output limited to 199.9 nm) ARINC 568 Six wire* RS485 Serial Digital provides distance for all four stations simultaneously
DISTANCE FLAG	ARINC 568, 40 Millivolt (Output limited to 204.0 nm)
AIR-TO-AIR	Per MIL-STD-291C & NATO STANAG 5034
BEARING	RS485 Serial Digital format provides TACAN bearing for two stations simultaneously, Sine/Cosine AC, 7.9 volts peak*, 100 Ma Peak Low Level CDI Outputs (per ARINC 547): Course - 150 Mv per 10 degrees Deviation - ±10 degrees full scale up to 5 ea 1,000 Ohm loads Flag Outputs - Per ARINC 547 & ARINC 579 Low Level - 0.5 VDC, 1 Ma maximum, up to 4 ea 1,000 Ohm loads High Level - 28 VDC, 250 Ma maximum To/From Output - Up to three 200 Ohm loads
ARINC 429 & MIL-STD-1553B	Input — Channeling Frequency Output — Distance, Ground Speed, Time to Station, Bearing, Channeling Frequency, Identification, Equivalent I.D.

Support

To gain access to the latest technical publications, service bulletins and other pertinent information about your recorders or other L3Harris devices, operators and authorized repair facilities need to for the online library.

Technical support:
Email: techsupport.cas@l3harris.com
Phone & AOG hotline: +1 (321) 674-4900

Technical publications:
Email: avionics.techpubs@l3harris.com

Cage Code / Federal Supply Code: 25583

Facility / Shipping / Mailing address:
5353 52nd Street, S.E.
Grand Rapids, MI 49512-9704 USA

Order administration / Sales / General inquiries:
Phone: +1 (616) 949-6600
Email: avionics.sales@l3harris.com

Repair and overhaul administration:
Email: avionics.service@l3harris.com
Phone: +1 (321) 674-4900
Fax: +1 (616) 977-6895
For service repair (Part 145) returned material authorizations (RMA):

Data services:
Email: dataservices.avionics@l3harris.com

Downloads

TACAN+ Brochure

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Navigation Systems

L3Harris has over 25 years of experience providing navigation systems for military aircraft and helicopters. Our navigation solutions are extremely rugged and tested against various military specifications. Find out more.

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