Cassidian supports German Armed Forces' conversion to latest Mode 5 ID

Cassidian, the renamed defence and security division of EADS, has equipped the test centre of the Bundeswehr Technical Centre 81 with its MSSR 2000 I identification system. This system is used by the electronics test centre of the German Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) in Greding near Nuremberg to test the identification systems on board all flying platforms of the German Armed Forces to the latest "Mode 5" identification standard.

At present, all flying Bundeswehr platforms are being equipped with so-called "transponders" conforming to the Mode 5 standard, which are tested in Greding. For this, the MSSR 2000 I interrogator transmits interrogation signals which are automatically answered by the transponders located on board the approaching aircraft. After having equipped all German Navy ships and ground control stations, the MSSR 2000 I has now become the German Armed Forces' standard equipment for ground-to-air and sea-to-air long-range identification.

"Sophisticated identification systems such as our MSSR 2000 I allow the aircraft of one's own and allied forces to be reliably identified, thus helping to prevent friendly fire," explains Bernd Wenzler, CEO of Cassidian Electronics. "In this way, we make a contribution to increase the safety of soldiers and support them in fulfilling their mission."
IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) systems based on the Mode 5 standard allow for the precise acquisition of data on the origin, course or speed of individual aircraft. With the help of this data, approaching aircraft can be quickly and unmistakably classified as belonging to hostile or friendly units. The data is exchanged using encrypted signals, which cannot be analysed or jammed by hostile forces.

Cassidian has already equipped numerous armed forces with IFF systems for sea-based and ground-based applications. For example, for military friend-or-foe identification, the MSSR 2000 I interrogator is deployed by the armed forces of Germany, France, the UK and Australia. In total, Cassidian has contracts for 275 systems in 25 countries. However, apart from the military sector, Cassidian is also active in the field of civil air traffic control. Here, the company's MSSR 2000 I identification systems are used in countries such as Austria and the Philippines.

Source: Cassidian

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