How to identify friend from foe

Shaping the past, present, and future of IFF systems

How to tell “friend from foe” is more than just a saying, it’s life-saving insight. I’ve been in the aerospace and defense industry working on this type of technology for more than 20 years at BAE Systems. I often get asked by friends, relatives and even colleagues what I work on, so I wanted to share a bit about the evolution of Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems and why they are more important than ever before.

Unintentional targeting of and firing at friendly forces has occurred across battles throughout history resulting in injuries and causalities. In the chaos and confusion of conflict and without advanced technology, soldiers can mistake one another for the enemy, especially when they cannot “see” the opposing force.

First introduced during World War II, IFF systems helped to protect military aircraft from friendly fire. Through secure communications, platforms send and receive signals to identify friendly forces. The use of various IFF modes, or radio transmissions and encryptions, enable users to identify a platform type or mission. IFF solutions range from transponders, interrogators, combined interrogator transponder systems, and ship antennas.

Modernizing IFF technology for JADC2 operations

Over the decades warfare has evolved across land, sea, air, space, and cyber domains and adversaries have become more agile. In response, the Department of Defense has developed the Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) strategy. JADC2 is a long-term effort to connect military assets across domains. IFF solutions play a key role in the C2 part of the strategy that enable the Joint Force to "sense," "make sense," and "act" on information across the battlespace. This allows for warfighters to analyze data, share information, and make decisions faster.

Next-generation IFF technologies are built on digital architectures with simplified user interfaces. Common modular design and open system architecture enable the rapid integration of new technology within the existing footprint through software updates instead of hardware configuration. This addresses obsolescence and allows for the implementation of high-performance capabilities without requiring changes to fleet infrastructure.

Delivering global next-gen solutions

For more than 80 years, BAE Systems, Inc. has been a leader in IFF technology providing time-critical insights that reduce friendly fire incidents and support mission success. I am proud to have been part of that IFF legacy for over two decades at our Greenlawn, New York facility –working with pioneers of this life-saving technology.

Our IFF products support over 100 unique platform types, with standardized and custom integrations. We have delivered over 16,000 transponders, 1,500 interrogators, and 6,000 combined interrogator transponder Mode 5 capable systems for use on new and existing platforms, including unmanned aerial vehicles, ships, and rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft. Available for all U.S. service branches and international coalition forces, our IFF systems can enhance the safety and operational tracking of legacy, new, and emerging platforms.

The future of IFF is a system that is affordable, effective, easy to upgrade, and features reduced size, weight, power, and cost. The ability to provide flexible and modular solutions give our service men and women the capabilities they need today and in the coming years.