When it comes to airborne search and rescue missions, saving time means the difference between life and death. That’s why Collins Aerospace provides a range of highly capable direction-finding systems that pinpoint distress signals with unmatched accuracy and reliability. Our technology enables aircraft to receive and immediately locate activated 406 MHz emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) signals, allowing rescue crews to go directly to those in need.

AN/ARN-149(V) Low Frequency Direction Finder (LF/ADF)

The Collins Aerospace AN/ARN-149(V) is the first Low Frequency Automatic Direction Finder (LF/ADF) to provide an internal, field upgradeable MIL-STD-1553B digital multiplex bus capability. The system gives your military aircraft around the world the ability to navigate in austere locations where a commercial AM broadcast signal is the only available navigation aid.

Features and benefits

  • Lightweight – under 11 lbs for complete system
  • Synthesized digital tuning
  • Internal, field-upgradable, MIL-STD1553 compatibility (input and output functions) with retention of analog interface
  • 100 to 2199.5 kHz frequency coverage in 500 Hz steps; positive digital selection
  • Integrated sense-loop antenna, dual antenna available for dual installations
  • Dual identification tone filter enhances Morse tones for positive aural identification even with noisy reception conditions
  • Two preset emergency channels
  • Easy retrofit; uses existing control wiring in most cases
  • Internal QEC, connector-strapped; airframe wiring sets QEC
  • Meets RTCA MOPS
  • DO-160 rated for hard mounting in helicopters and fixed wing aircraft
  • High reliability; predicted MTBF is 4,900 hours

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DB-500 Direction Finder

Lightweight, compact and rugged, the DF-500 direction finder is a software-defined radio specifically designed for compatibility with all search and rescue (SAR) mission platform requirements. It can receive all current international distress frequencies, including 121.5 MHz, 243 MHz and COSPAS-SARSAT (406 MHz) – as well as Argos, automatic identification system (AIS) and digital selective calling (DSC)-encoded beacon signals.

Features and benefits

  • 30 to 407 MHz frequency range
  • SAR in international distress frequencies: 121.5 MHz and 243 MHz
  • COSPAS-SARSAT 406, including all extended channels
  • AIS distress; DSC message decoding and homing
  • Argos-1 beacons (401.650 MHz) search
  • Sonobuoy frequency band (FM) coverage and optimized localization
  • Flush-mounted, omnidirectional, vertically polarized antenna with permanent 360 degree scanning

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