Landing an aircraft or a helicopter on a ship is challenging enough in its own right. Pilots have to contend with varying environmental conditions that constantly affect pitch, roll and yaw in different ways. And trying to locate a ship in the middle of the ocean to land an aircraft or a helicopter is like finding a drop in the ocean. Lack of makers and geospatial references, together with the potential of blinding sunlight, all contribute to concealing ships in the vast ocean’s expanse.

Leveraging decades of experience developing TACAN systems for both civil and military aviation, Thales provides its naval customers with a resilient and reliable navigation aid for safe return of every aircraft and helicopter to their ship. Resistant to jamming, Thales’ shipboard TACAN offers navy pilots a precise beacon that ensures the ease finding the ship at sea to land safely.   

On the importance of maritime

The 21st century is a maritime century, there can be no doubts about this. As regional tensions rise across the globe, from the South China Sea and the Arctic all the way to Europe’s doorstep in Ukraine, the strategic importance of the maritime domain is undeniable. 

In such context, of course, navies play a critical role. Whether they are deployed to fight a conflict, conduct Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPS) or protect Exclusive Economic Zones (EZZ) and the resources therein, their ships are essential tools of diplomacy and war. And the aircrafts and helicopters operating from these platforms are crucial to extending their presence, range and power.

Yet landing an aircraft or a helicopter on a ship at sea can be challenging. Beyond the intricacies of mastering intrinsically complex environmental conditions the aircraft pilot needs to find a moving platform in an ocean’s vast expanse is very difficult. In today’s environments Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals are being jammed regularly.  This means there is a need to provide a resilient TACAN signal to aircraft pilots so they can navigate effectively.

On relativity

TACAN systems, which have long assisted airborne platforms in identifying landing strips and runways, can offer similar advantages to shipboard platforms. 

“A TACAN is a beacon designed to provide pilots with two reference points: distance and bearing/azimuth, that is, how many degrees north the aircraft or helicopter is from the ship,” George Weida, Technical Director Navaids and Non Radar Surveillance US at Thales, explains. “These two pieces of information provide a key advantage as they allow any airborne platform to calculate its position relative to the ship, whatever its position at sea, and fly straight to it.”

Additionally, TACAN systems are extremely difficult to jam. Because they rely on terrestrial systems, rather than space-based, the signal strength is much stronger and therefore far more reliable. “Admittedly an adversary could attempt to jam a TACAN signal, but the effort required would likely greatly surpass the gain,” notes Weida. 

 

On maintenance 

Upon acquiring Moog in December 2021, Thales acquired over 10 years of experience developing shipboard TACAN systems for the US Navy (USN). It acquired a unique expertise in the large-scale production of ruggedized, highly reliable and easy to maintain systems. 

The shipboard TACAN comprises four components: an Antenna, generally positioned on top of the mast for optimal signal coverage; a Beacon, together with a cable installation kit that provide up 250ft of cable so the Beacon can be located anywhere on the ship, and finally, a Remote Control Status Unit (RCSU). The RCSU features a 8” LCD screen that replicates the interface on the beacon and all the information it displays. “This allows navy crew to retain full status and control of their system remotely, being immediately alerted of any anomalies or incongruities in the system’s functioning,” Weida explains.

On reliability 

The maritime environment can have a significant impact on shipboard systems and electronics. Humidity, salt-fog, shock and vibrations all contribute to reducing the Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) of any system that has not been designed to withstand such hard conditions. 

Thales recently upgraded all the electronics of the shipboard TACAN’s antenna. This has not only removed any obsolescence, it also provides shipyards and navies with electronic boards and cards that are simpler to install and maintain. “By reducing the number of components in the antenna we have increased its availability significantly,” Weida comments. 

Additionally, the antenna enclosure now features a new Gore valve that allows air pressure to be equalized between the inside and outside of the Antenna, thus preventing water vapor seeping into the Antenna.  With this new technology, the antenna is no longer vulnerable to humidity and water inclusion and requires far less maintenance.

“Ultimately, we have taken a system that has been extensively operationally proven by the USN and other navies around the world, and we have made it even more reliable and easy to install and maintain,” Weida concludes. “With Thales’ shipboard TACAN, navy aircraft and helicopter pilots can now go on their mission with peace of mind, knowing they can rely on a beacon at sea to bring them home.”