LORAN-C
GENERAL INFORMATION
LORAN-C was originally developed to provide radionavigation
service for U.S. coastal waters & was later expanded to
include complete coverage of the continental U.S. as well as
most of Alaska. Twenty-four U.S. LORAN-C stations work in partnership
with Canadian and Russian stations to provide coverage in Canadian
waters and in the Bering Sea. LORAN-C provides better than 0.25
nautical mile absolute accuracy for suitably equipped users
within the published areas.
Advances
in technology have allowed greater automation of LORAN-C operations.
New technology has allowed the Coast Guard to establish centralized
control of the continental U.S. LORAN-C system at two locations.
The application of new receiver technology has improved the
usability of the system. You may read about modernization
efforts on our LORAN Modernization page.
Federal
Register Notices Regarding the Future of LORAN
The
Operating Status of LORAN-C
LORAN-C
provides coverage for maritime navigation in U.S. coastal
areas. It provides navigation, location, and timing services
for both civil and military air, land and marine users. LORAN-C
is approved as an en route supplemental air navigation system
for both Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) and Visual Flight Rule
(VFR) operations. The LORAN-C system serves the 48 continental
states, their coastal areas, and parts of Alaska.
While
the Administration continues to evaluate the long-term need
for continuation of the LORAN-C radionavigation system, the
Government will operate the LORAN-C system in the short term.
The U.S. Government will give users reasonable notice if it
concludes that LORAN-C is not needed or is not cost effective,
so that users will have the opportunity to transition to alternative
navigation aids. With this continued sustainment of the LORAN-C
service, users will be able to realize additional benefits.
Improvement of GPS time synchronization of the LORAN-C chains
and the use of digital receivers may support improved accuracy
and coverage of the service. LORAN-C will continue to provide
a supplemental means of navigation.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released a
press statement concerning the future of LORAN-C operation
and transition to enhanced LORAN. You can read the complete
DHS press
release here. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has provided
statements concerning the USCG Fiscal Year 2009 budget request
with regard to LORAN-C and enhanced LORAN (eLORAN). You can
read the Coast Guard's statements on page 41 of the USCG
Posture Statement. The U. S. Congress has not yet considered
nor approved the USCG's FY2009 budget. |
