"Navarho"

Short-range (200 miles) navigational aids such as radio ranges and Omni Range have long been used to guide U.S. aircraft, with pilots switching from one station to another enroute across the country. But when a jet flyer, moving upwards of 600 m.p.h., tunes in on an Omni Range or a radio beam, he is often out of range before he can calculate his position.

Last week the Air Force announced plans for a new, long-range radio station, which, it hopes, will solve the problem. Dubbed "Navarho" ("Nav" for navigation, "a"' for aid, "rho" for the Greek letter symbol meaning distance), the powerful 15-kw. station will be built near Camden, N.Y. Its three 625-ft. transmitting towers will send out low-frequency signals over 2,500 to 3,000 miles. Friendly (and enemy) aircraft from the Azores to Seattle will be able to take a radio bearing into their electronic apparatus, measure their distance from Camden by comparing signals from the three antennas, and pinpoint their positions within ten miles. When a pilot gets close to his destination, he will switch from Navarho's beam to a short-range station, follow it in to the airfield.

If the prototype turns out as expected, the Air Force will construct a six-or seven-Navarho network to direct its aircraft around the world. Estimated cost per station: $1,272,000.

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