EVALUATION OF TACTICAL AREA POISTIONING SYSTEM (TAPS) IN ARMY HELICOPTERS
Abstract
The Tactical Area Positioning System (TAPS) was evaluated in Army helicopter operations in the Republic of Vietnam (RVN). TAPS is a low frequency, phase comparison, area coverage navigation system. The Air Force installed a master station and 2 slave stations in RVN and 47 Decca Mark VII airborne receiver-computer units in Air Force aircraft. For the Army test, the same ground stations were used but 12 Decca Mk 8-A units were installed in CH-21 and 2 in UH-1B helicopters. This report covers the ACTIV Army helicopter test of TAPS only. The navi gation aids installed in RVN up to the time of the TAPS test were not compatible with the lower altitude flight associated with helicopter mis sions. The low frequency non-directional beacons do not provide a destination indication for remote areas, and it is impractical to pre position these beacons before an assault or at all of the potential landing areas in RVN. The TAPS overcomes these problems and also presents the pilot with his track flown, present position, and destination in the form of an easily read flight log. It was found in the ACTIV test that the TAPS utilizing Mk 8-A airborne equipment is a satisfactory navigation aid for Army heli copters in RVN during daylight hours, but is not satisfactory at night. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0346190