Thales to upgrade French military IFF transponders
Thales is to upgrade the Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponders in use on a number of air and sea platforms of the French armed forces. The company announced its selection for the work on 19 November.
IFF transponders identify friendly units to prevent friendly fire incidents in the theatre of operations and allow the effective monitoring of military and civil air traffic.
Under this contract, Thales will upgrade French military IFF systems to the latest standards: Mode 5 (the new secure standard for military use), Mode S (the latest civil standard) and the collaborative airspace surveillance standard ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast).
Around 300 IFF units will be upgraded, across a range of helicopters, combat aircraft, transport aircraft, maritime patrol aircraft, surface ships and submarines operated by French forces.
Aircraft equipped with IFF systems meeting the latest NATO and ICAO standards are authorised to fly unrestricted in civil and military airspace.
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