1,500-mph F-16 gets drop-in one-box system to spot friend from foe in combat faster

BAE Systems has received U.S. certification for a new Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system designed to help F-16 pilots identify aircraft during combat operations. The Department of War awarded AIMS certification to the AN/APX-127(V)1 Combined Interrogator Transponder. The approval confirms compatibility with identification standards used by U.S. and NATO forces. IFF systems help military aircraft determine whether another aircraft belongs to friendly forces. That job becomes harder when pilots operate in crowded airspace or face rapidly changing threats. BAE Systems designed the new CIT to handle both sides of the process. The unit combines interrogation and transponder functions in a single box. Smaller path to modernization The AN/APX-127(V)1 keeps the same form factor as several CIT systems already used on U.S. and international aircraft. Operators can use it as a drop-in replacement for the AN/APX-113(V), AN/APX-125(V), and AN/APX-126(V). That compatibility can simplify upgrades for existing F-16 fleets. Maintainers would not need to redesign the surrounding installation for the newer identification equipment. The system also uses an open architecture. Engineers can introduce software updates without replacing the main hardware. That matters for aircraft expected to remain in service for decades. Digital systems can become outdated long before the airframe reaches the end of its service life. Seth Guanu, BAE Systems’ Combat Identification Products program area director, said the company designed the system with future missions in mind. “We are investing in the next generation of our IFF technology to support our customers’ missions for today and tomorrow,” Guanu said. He said the system gives pilots added security and real-time information across different threat environments. Mode 5 brings secure identification The certification covers AIMS Mark XIIB IFF with Mode S and Mode 5 capabilities. Mode 5 supports encrypted identification exchanges between compatible military systems. Secure identification helps pilots distinguish friendly aircraft from potential threats during complex operations. The information can support decisions when several aircraft operate within the same battlespace. The AN/APX-127(V)1 also adds receive channels for passive acquisition of Mode 5 Level 2 signals. It supports Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast In as well. The additional channels let the system receive more information about nearby aircraft. That data can supplement the CIT’s primary identification functions. Cybersecurity also features in the upgraded system. BAE Systems says the CIT supports current cryptographic requirements and cybersecurity resilience. More processing for future upgrades The architecture also addresses the growing problem of electronic obsolescence across older aircraft fleets. can remain operational for decades, even as individual onboard systems require repeated upgrades. BAE Systems increased the CIT’s processing capacity and left room for future capabilities. Software updates can add functionality without forcing operators to replace the entire unit. The company has delivered more than 1,500 interrogators, 6,000 combined interrogator transponder systems, and 16,000 transponders over more than 80 years. Its IFF equipment supports U.S. and coalition operations across air defense, weapons systems, air traffic control, and range instrumentation. The certification gives F-16 operators a newer identification system without requiring a major change to the aircraft’s existing installation. The combination of drop-in compatibility, secure Mode 5 identification, and upgradeable software gives the system a longer runway for future modernization.Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Aamir is a seasoned tech journalist with experience at Exhibit Magazine, Republic World, and PR Newswire. With a deep love for all things tech and science, he has spent years decoding the latest innovations and exploring how they shape industries, lifestyles, and the future of humanity.