UK MoD moves on IFF standardisation
Raytheon UK and Thales UK will conduct a study into upgrading the British armed forces’ existing Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems to Mode 5 to address NATO's requirement for a new standard of IFF across all platforms. The Raytheon-Thales team was selected for the one-year study by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The companies have teamed to offer the Thales Bluegate products covering the majority of naval and land system Mode 5 Interrogator applications and Raytheon UK's IFF4810 Mode 5 upgrade solution for most air and naval Mode 5 transponder uses.
Raytheon and Thales' IFF Mode 5 subsystems use a common US-sourced KIV-77 Mode 4/5 cryptographic computer, which is more secure, deception resistant and already in service with US armed forces.
Raytheon and Thales are the IFF incumbents on more than 97% of the platforms involved in the Mode 5 upgrade. The low risk approach builds on prior Authority and company investment in Successor Identification Friend or Foe (SIFF) and Mode 5 while benefiting from the lessons learnt during the successful delivery of the SIFF capability.
Richard Daniel, chief executive, Raytheon UK, said: ‘The Raytheon and Thales collaboration combines our technical knowledge, proven equipment and long collaborative experience with the MoD. We are set to provide the fastest and most cost efficient solution which will exploit our SIFF installed base and provide proven low risk upgrades to the UK legacy platforms.’
Victor Chavez, CEO, Thales UK, added: ‘By bringing together best-in-class capability and extensive knowledge of UK platforms from both companies, we will deliver a low risk and cost effective solution to this important UK programme. Our respective companies have already delivered Mode 5 IFF to a number of NATO forces and this programme gives us the opportunity to extend this critical upgrade to UK platforms to maintain their interoperability in future NATO coalition forces.’
Raytheon's established SIFF support infrastructure aided the fleet-wide introduction of Mode S upgrades in recent years, establishing a proven model for delivery of the Mode 5 upgrade.
You may also like
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![AUSA 2025: Israel’s Asio Technologies to supply hundreds of improved Taurus tactical systems]()
AUSA 2025: Israel’s Asio Technologies to supply hundreds of improved Taurus tactical systems
Taurus operates alongside the Israel Defense Forces’ Orion system which supports mission management across tens of thousands of manoeuvring forces, from squad leaders to battalion commanders.
-
![AUSA 2025: Kopin pushes micro-LED plans as China moves faster]()
AUSA 2025: Kopin pushes micro-LED plans as China moves faster
The plan for the new displays follows fresh investment in Kopin’s European facilities by Theon and an order for head-up displays in fielded aircraft, with funding from the US Department of Defense.
-
![AUSA 2025: Persistent Systems to complete its largest order by year’s end]()
AUSA 2025: Persistent Systems to complete its largest order by year’s end
Persistent Systems received its largest ever single order for its MPU5 devices and other systems earlier this month and has already delivered the 50 units to the US Army’s 4th Infantry Division.
-
![Aselsan brings in dozens of companies and systems under the Steel Dome umbrella]()
Aselsan brings in dozens of companies and systems under the Steel Dome umbrella
Turkey has joined the family of countries attempting to establish a multilayered air defence system with government approval in August 2024 for the effort landed by Aselsan. Dubbed Steel Dome, the programme joins Israel’s Iron Dome, the US Golden Dome, India’s Mission Sudarshan Chakra and South Korea’s low-altitude missile defence system.
-
![DSEI 2025: MARSS unveils new agnostic multidomain C4 system]()
DSEI 2025: MARSS unveils new agnostic multidomain C4 system
MARSS’ NiDAR system has been deployed using sensors from static platforms to provide detection and protection for static sights, such as critical infrastructure, ports and military bases.
-
![Australia looks towards space with force restructure, investment and training]()
Australia looks towards space with force restructure, investment and training
Australia is looking to improve its presence in space with a focus on communications and creating a dedicated segment of its defence forces committed to the domain.
