Omega/VLF Now and Into The 21st Century

Andrew Stratton

Abstract:	Currently Omega is the only international radio aid with world wide coverage and approved for aviation use. The International Omega Association (IOA) has recently published the report of a two year survey on the use of Omega. This report demonstrates that Omega is used extensively, world-wide in a variety of applications and its use is increasing. It is particularly cost-effective as the only current alternative to INS for long-range aviation navigation (LRNAV), and gives also in the one installation an area navigation cauabilitv (RNAV). Omega comprises 40% of the LRNAV fii of theworld airlines and 64% of the LRNAV fit in US General Aviation. In the marine application, the coverage of Differential Omega is in&easing as a cost-effective alternative to extending Loran C. The world meteorological service depends on Omega, for which there is no ec&tomic alternative in the foreseeable future. In contrast with the somewhat bleak prospect for Omega presented in the 1988 Federal Radionavigation Plan (FRP), the 1990 FRP presents a positive future. Omega is expected once again to remain part of the radionavigation systems mix into the next century, even though the DOD requirement for Omega will end December 31, 1994. Against this background the paper examines the use of Omega in particular, and VLF navigation in general, in the next century. Omega/VLF is seen as the natural complement to satellite systems, such as GPS and GLONASS, during the proving phase and as a potential permanent component of the future system. The Omega System
Published in:	Proceedings of the 1991 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation January 22 - 24, 1991 Sheraton San Marcos Hotel Phoenix, AZ
Pages:	437 - 442
Cite this article:	Stratton, Andrew, "Omega/VLF Now and Into The 21st Century," Proceedings of the 1991 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation, Phoenix, AZ, January 1991, pp. 437-442.
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