TACAN/VOR/ADF

[GeorgeVB]

Can a helicopter use these systems for navigation?

[YoYo]

37 minutes ago, GeorgeVB said:

Can a helicopter use these systems for navigation?

Some the others? Yes. But not KW.

[GeorgeVB]

OH-58A/C used ADF and VOR/LOC, https://www.avialogs.com/aircraft-b/bell/item/55450-tm-55-1520-228-10-operator-s-manual-army-model-oh-58-a-c-helicopter
pp 144, 148
For what reason were this systems not installed in the OH-58D?

Edited December 25, 2024 by GeorgeVB

[GeorgeVB]

https://www.airwar.ru/other/manuals/[aviation] - [manuals] - TM 1-1520-248-10 - Technical manual Operator`s manual for army OH-58D.pdf
p 160

I hope that the developers will add TACAN someday...

Edited December 25, 2024 by GeorgeVB

[YoYo]

36 minutes ago, GeorgeVB said:

I hope that the developers will add TACAN someday...

If D doesn't have that then you can't expect VOR/TACAN will be added. It's not necessary now because you have MGRS so that's perfectly adequate for guidance to the designated point.

[GeorgeVB]

What if the INS and GPS readings contradict when flying over mountains in dense clouds? How can I find a ship at sea if it has turned on the beacon but does not transmit coordinates? I would like to know the reasons why ADF/VOR navigation is not used.
Civil aviation uses all means of navigation

Edited December 25, 2024 by GeorgeVB

[LorenLuke]

3 hours ago, GeorgeVB said:

What if the INS and GPS readings contradict when flying over mountains in dense clouds? How can I find a ship at sea if it has turned on the beacon but does not transmit coordinates? I would like to know the reasons why ADF/VOR navigation is not used.
Civil aviation uses all means of navigation

There is a GPS correction for the bird, as far as I'm aware, and I believe there's also a (not yet implemented in sim) method of fixtaking for the aircraft as well. Consider the fact that it's a helicopter and is designed to operate around a relatively known area rather than transporting or hopping long distances. I would imagine there's plenty of mapped and studied features that the flight crew know to help them know where they are, even in absence of a radio beacon.

Additionally, consider that perhaps finding a ship at sea isn't a Kiowa's job, and even if it was, there's plenty of other methods in the US military to do so and pass that information along.

[GeorgeVB]

A military helicopter must operate in an unfamiliar territory, and the possibility of instrumental flight is present in the manual. Even familiar territory is dangerous in low visibility conditions. Searching for an unknown radio source is quite suitable for Reconnaissance operations, and SOS rescue is a common duty.

Flight types (Base task list) are specified in the OH-58A Manual_2013 manual.pdf OH-58A Manual_2013.pdf, pp 16-18.  (Sorry, this Manual for OH-58D!)

The idea to remove TACAN/VOR/ADF systems has other reasons

Edited December 27, 2024 by GeorgeVB

[some1]

- range. The radios require beacon to be in the line of sight. Flying low like a helicopter does most of the time, you're not getting much reception.

- weight. The radios add extra weight and space requirements, and this helicopter is overweight even without them.

- operational considerations. In the middle east, where the helicopter operated in this configuration, there's not many radio beacons to begin with. Risk of GPS spoofing was very low and GPS/INS system was much more suitable for the job than tacan based navigation.

 

On 12/25/2024 at 12:35 PM, GeorgeVB said:

Civil aviation uses all means of navigation

Still, it's mostly GPS/INS nowadays, with radio navaids network being gradually shut down. 

Edited December 27, 2024 by some1

[GeorgeVB]

1 час назад, some1 сказал:

- range...

I agree with you, that's probably the reasons