A TACAN (tactical air navigation) beacon is similar to, but much more accurate than a VOR/DME beacon. Civil a/c are unable to obtain bearing information from TACANs due to the UHF frequencies used in the 950-1150 MHz band. However, the DME element can be used by civil DME receivers.
Beware that the DME frequency radiated from the Brize Norton TACAN (Ch 56X) is the same as that which should be frequency-paired with the ILS frequency 111.9. But, unlike I-DME information, it will give you range to the TACAN beacon, NOT to touchdown. This may not be made clear in the relevant ILS approach plates......
Last edited by BEagle; 3rd March 2005 at 20:00.