--- title: Collins DF-500 --- [** Eshop ](https://www.airteam.eu/) [![ATI LOGO_white](https://intel.airteam.eu/hubfs/ATI%20LOGO_white.svg "ATI LOGO_white")](https://intel.airteam.eu/) [** ](https://wa.me/420725508058) [** ](tel:+420725508058) - AeroIntel ISR Suite - [Operator Workstation](https://intel.airteam.eu/operator-workstation) - [Mission Control Unit](https://intel.airteam.eu/mission-control-unit) - [Mission Displays](https://intel.airteam.eu/mission-displays) - Mission Solutions - Surveillance - [Border Control](https://intel.airteam.eu/surveillance-border-control) - [Maritime Patrol](https://intel.airteam.eu/surveillance-maritime-patrol) - [Law Enforcement](https://intel.airteam.eu/surveillance-law-enforcement) - [Airborne Drone Detection](https://intel.airteam.eu/surveillance-airborne-drone-detection) - [Environmental & Infrastructure Monitoring](https://intel.airteam.eu/surveillance-environmental-infrastructure-monitoring) - [Force Protection](https://intel.airteam.eu/surveillance-force-protection) - Emergency Services - [Medevac](https://intel.airteam.eu/emergency-services-medevac) - [HEMS](https://intel.airteam.eu/emergency-services-hems) - [Search & Rescue (SAR)](https://intel.airteam.eu/emergency-services-search-rescue) - [Disaster Relief](https://intel.airteam.eu/emergency-services-disaster-relief) - [Firefighting](https://intel.airteam.eu/emergency-services-firefighting) - [Environmental & Resource Monitoring](https://intel.airteam.eu/emergency-services-environmental-resource-monitoring) - [Wildlife Monitoring](https://intel.airteam.eu/emergency-services-wildlife-monitoring) - [Pipeline & Powerline Monitoring](https://intel.airteam.eu/emergency-services-pipeline-powerline-monitoring) - [Oil Spill Detection](https://intel.airteam.eu/emergency-services-oil-spill-detection) - Surveying & Mapping - [Laser Scanning](https://intel.airteam.eu/surveying-mapping-laser-scanning) - [Photogrammetry](https://intel.airteam.eu/surveying-mapping-photogrammetry) - [Hyperspectral Imaging](https://intel.airteam.eu/surveying-mapping-hyperspectral-imaging) - [Corridor Mapping](https://intel.airteam.eu/surveying-corridor-mapping) - Technology Integrations - [Sensors](https://intel.airteam.eu/sensors) - [Communication Systems](https://intel.airteam.eu/communication) - [Advanced Avionics](https://intel.airteam.eu/avionics) - [Lighting & Visual Solutions](https://intel.airteam.eu/lighting-visual-solutions) - [Specialized Cargo Solutions](https://intel.airteam.eu/specialized-cargo-solutions) - [Equipment & Accessories](https://intel.airteam.eu/equipment-accessories) - [Mission Workstations](https://intel.airteam.eu/mission-workstations) - [Unmanned Systems](https://intel.airteam.eu/unmanned-systems) - [Capabilities](https://intel.airteam.eu/capabilities) - [Completed Projects](https://intel.airteam.eu/completed-projects) ![Collins DF-500](https://intel.airteam.eu/hs-fs/hubfs/Collins%20DF-500.png?width=500&height=500&name=Collins%20DF-500.png "Collins DF-500") ## Collins DF-500 The Collins DF-500 Direction Finder is a high-performance airborne system developed to support modern search-and-rescue operations. Combining wide frequency coverage, precise signal detection, and advanced interoperability, it enables rapid location of distress beacons across a variety of mission profiles. With both military and civil versions available, the DF-500 offers a versatile and reliable solution for global SAR teams. [ Installation Request ](https://intel.airteam.eu/request) ![ati collins df500 1](https://intel.airteam.eu/hubfs/ati%20collins%20df500%201.jpg "ati collins df500 1") ## Advanced Capabilities for Rapid and Accurate Signal Detection The Collins Aerospace DF-500 Direction Finder is a state-of-the-art, software-defined radio system engineered to enhance the effectiveness of airborne search-and-rescue (SAR) missions. Covering a wide frequency range from 30 to 407 MHz, it supports all major distress signals including 121.5 MHz, 243 MHz, and COSPAS-SARSAT 406 MHz, along with ARGOS, AIS, and DSC protocols. Its omnidirectional, flush-mounted antenna ensures constant 360° scanning, while its multichannel architecture allows simultaneous monitoring of multiple frequencies. The DF-500 delivers rapid signal acquisition—under 300 milliseconds—and highly accurate bearings of less than 3°, enabling SAR teams to quickly locate beacons up to 116 nautical miles away, even identifying beacon GPS coordinates when available.   ## Flexible Integration and Future-Proof Design Designed with flexibility and future-readiness in mind, the DF-500 is fully compatible with existing SAR aircraft platforms and is backward-compatible with its predecessor, the DF-430. It requires minimal integration effort, supports both ARINC 429 and MIL-STD-1553B bus configurations (excluding the civil version DF-500C), and offers high reliability with MTBF ratings exceeding 13,000 hours. The system is software-upgradable to accommodate future protocols, including the Galileo SAR downlink, ensuring long-term operational relevance. Compact, rugged, and available in both military and export-license-free civil versions, the DF-500 is a powerful asset for reducing search times, improving crew safety, and ultimately saving more lives. #### Solutions - [Border Control](https://intel.airteam.eu/surveillance-border-control) - [Maritime Patrol](https://intel.airteam.eu/surveillance-maritime-patrol) - [Law Enforcement](https://intel.airteam.eu/surveillance-law-enforcement) - [Airborne Drone Detection](https://intel.airteam.eu/surveillance-airborne-drone-detection) - [Env. & Infrastructure Monitoring](https://intel.airteam.eu/surveillance-environmental-infrastructure-monitoring) - [Force Protection](https://intel.airteam.eu/surveillance-force-protection) - [Laser Scanning](https://intel.airteam.eu/surveying-mapping-laser-scanning) - [Photogrammetry](https://intel.airteam.eu/surveying-mapping-photogrammetry) - [Hyperspectral Imaging](https://intel.airteam.eu/surveying-mapping-hyperspectral-imaging) - [Corridor Mapping](https://intel.airteam.eu/surveying-corridor-mapping) #### Solutions - [Medevac](https://intel.airteam.eu/emergency-services-medevac) - [HEMS](https://intel.airteam.eu/emergency-services-hems) - [SAR](https://intel.airteam.eu/emergency-services-search-rescue) - [Disaster Relief](https://intel.airteam.eu/emergency-services-disaster-relief) - [Firefighting](https://intel.airteam.eu/emergency-services-firefighting) - [Env. & Resource Monitoring](https://intel.airteam.eu/emergency-services-environmental-resource-monitoring) - [Wildlife Monitoring](https://intel.airteam.eu/emergency-services-wildlife-monitoring) - [Pipeline & Powerline Monitoring](https://intel.airteam.eu/emergency-services-pipeline-powerline-monitoring) - [Oil Spill Detection](https://intel.airteam.eu/emergency-services-oil-spill-detection) #### Technologies - [Sensors](https://intel.airteam.eu/sensors) - [Communication](https://intel.airteam.eu/communication) - [Avionics](https://intel.airteam.eu/avionics) - [Lighting & Visual Solutions](https://intel.airteam.eu/lighting-visual-solutions) - [Specialized Cargo Solutions](https://intel.airteam.eu/specialized-cargo-solutions) - [Equipment & Accessories](https://intel.airteam.eu/equipment-accessories) - [Mission Workstations](https://intel.airteam.eu/mission-workstations) - [Unmanned Systems](https://intel.airteam.eu/unmanned-systems) #### Other - [Operator Workstation](https://intel.airteam.eu/operator-workstation) - [Mission Control Unit](https://intel.airteam.eu/mission-control-unit) - [Mission Displays](https://intel.airteam.eu/mission-displays) - [Capabilities](https://intel.airteam.eu/capabilities) - [Completed Projects](https://intel.airteam.eu/completed-projects) #### About us - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/airteamcz) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/airteameu/) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/air-team-eu) © 2025 AIR TEAM Intel, s.r.o. | [GDPR Policy](https://intel.airteam.eu/personal-data-protection) | Cookie Settings | [webdesign AETO](https://aeto.cz) [Follow us on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/airteameu) [Follow us on Twitter ](https://www.instagram.com/airteameu/) [Follow us on Facebook ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/airteameu)