Which localization method uses bearings from multiple stations to determine a contact's position?

Which localization method uses bearings from multiple stations to determine a contact's position?

• A. Bearings-only triangulation
• B. Single-station range estimation
• C. Visual triangulation from the bridge
• D. Infrared imaging

Answer: (A)

Using lines of bearing from several known observer positions to locate a target is called bearings-only triangulation. Each station provides a bearing toward the contact, which becomes a straight line on the chart. The contact’s position is the intersection point of those lines, and you need multiple stations to get a precise fix. With only one station, you’d only have a circle of possible positions because the distance to the contact isn’t known. Infrared imaging looks at heat signatures rather than geometry to locate a contact, and while visual triangulation could involve lines of sight, the established method that fixes position from multiple bearings is bearings-only triangulation.

Using lines of bearing from several known observer positions to locate a target is called bearings-only triangulation. Each station provides a bearing toward the contact, which becomes a straight line on the chart. The contact’s position is the intersection point of those lines, and you need multiple stations to get a precise fix. With only one station, you’d only have a circle of possible positions because the distance to the contact isn’t known. Infrared imaging looks at heat signatures rather than geometry to locate a contact, and while visual triangulation could involve lines of sight, the established method that fixes position from multiple bearings is bearings-only triangulation.