Test set receives certification

The IFF-45TS avionics test set from Aeroflex has received certification from the US Department of Defence International AIMS program office.

The test set is now AIMS certified to perform testing and validation on identification, friend or foe (IFF) mode 4 and 5 transponders and interrogators. In addition, it will perform testing on DME/TACAN interrogators.

It is an RF signal simulator that can be remotely operated. It supports engineering development of mode 5 or mark XIIA systems in bench and over-the-air applications. With appropriate antennas, it has a test range to 3 km and is capable of ramp testing installed equipment.

The Mark XIIA Mode 5 is an improvement to the ageing Mark XII IFF system that uses modern modulation, coding and cryptographic techniques to overcome performance and security problems in the current Mark XII waveform. Additionally, Mark XIIA Mode 5 offers expanded data handling capable of passing GPS position and other extended data.

IFF is a cryptographic identification system that enables military and national interrogation systems to distinguish friendly aircraft, vehicles or forces and to determine their bearing and range from the interrogator.

There are two military modes of IFF operation designated for use by NATO forces: Mode 4, which is crypto-secure mode and Mode 5, which is crypto-secure using Mode S and ADS-B technology.

The DoD International AIMS program office handles the certification of IFF equipment, ensuring minimum performance and interoperability standards. They also focus on reducing the proliferation of IFF equipment.