Definition
A ground-based navigation facility that combines a VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range) and a TACAN (Tactical Air Navigation) station at the same location, providing civil aircraft with VOR azimuth (bearing) information and TACAN-derived distance (DME) information, while also providing military aircraft with the full TACAN azimuth and distance signal. The two systems share a single site so that civil and military aircraft receive compatible navigation data from one published location.
Plain English
A single ground station that lets civilian pilots get a bearing and a distance to the station, and lets military pilots use their own equivalent system from the same spot. One site, two systems, sharing the same location on the chart.
Context Anchor
Seen on navigation charts, in route planning, and when tuning a navigation radio for en route navigation or an instrument procedure.
Derivation
A blend of VOR and TACAN. "Collocated" comes from Latin com- ("together") and locare ("to place") — literally "placed together." The name tells you exactly what it is: two navigation systems placed at the same location.
Why Pilots Care
Provides reliable navigation data usable by both civilian and military aircraft without requiring separate facilities.
Intuition Check
Do not think of a VORTAC as just a VOR with a different name. It is a combined facility: the VOR part gives civil course guidance, and the TACAN distance part can provide distance information to properly equipped aircraft.
Example Sentence 1
The pilot tuned the VORTAC frequency and immediately had both a bearing and a distance reading to the station.
Example Sentence 2
Distance measuring equipment paired with the VORTAC gave the crew accurate slant-range information to the station.