Thales will supply six TACAN mobile navigation systems to the US Air Force

Taking over part of the activities of the American company Moog, in 2021 the French group Thales completes its offer in terms of aids to navigation systems, in particular “mobile technology to support emergency air operations and keep pace with evolving military mobility needs”. explained at the time.

The Defense Electronics Group confirmed that “the consolidation phase that will follow will allow Thales to strengthen its engineering, manufacturing and technology capabilities in the United States.”

Less than two years later, this process is bearing fruit. In fact, through a June 1 press release, the USAF announced that it had selected Thales to supply it with six portable tactical air navigation devices, i.e. TACAN systems. [Tactical Air Navigation Aids]intended for operational use.

the Takan principle Developed for US Navy pilots in the 1950s, for convenience, such a system makes it possible to measure distances and provide information about the azimuth tolerance of the aircraft. Thus, especially when visibility is low or zero, the pilot knows his position, heading, and distance to a given point precisely, thanks to radio signals sent from a station on the ground.

Portable TACAN systems have several advantages: By being able to provide accurate navigation data in real time, even when GPS signals are jammed, they can be easily transported to allow pilots to quickly establish a reference point for navigation.

“This is particularly useful for Special Forces, who often operate in degraded environments, where conventional navigational aids may not be available,” says the US Air Force.

The acquisition of TACAN’s man-portable systems represents an important step forward for flight safety and mission efficiency. By signing this contract with Thales, the USAF is demonstrating its commitment to providing its pilots with the best possible tools to ensure the success of their missions.”

The six systems were preordered at $600,000 each and the type was not specified [Thales propose le MM 7000 MP, ndlr], will be directed to the US Air Forces in Europe and the Air Forces in Africa. The first of them should be delivered by next December.