Tactical Air Navigation System (TACAN)

Tactical Air Navigation System (TACAN) is a military navigation tool that helps aircraft determine their precise position and maintain course during flights, especially in tactical situations. It combines radio transmitters on the ground with onboard receivers, providing pilots with both distance (range) and direction (bearing) information to a specific station. This improves navigation accuracy, especially over inhospitable or featureless terrains where visual cues are limited. TACAN is widely used by military aircraft for reliable, real-time positioning, ensuring safe and coordinated operations in complex environments.