US orders more common transponders
BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration is to provide US military and allied aircraft with additional IFF transponders, under a $17.9 million IDIQ contract modification from Naval Air Systems Command.
The company will produce and deliver 283 Mode 5-capable AN/APX-117A/118A/123A(V) common IFF transponder systems and ‘associated shop replaceable assemblies’ for fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft operated by the US Army, USN and allied forces, the DoD announced on 6 December.
Work is expected to be completed in December 2022.
Depending on their configuration, the BAE Systems-made common transponder products contain encrypted features and meet all US and NATO Mode 4 and Mode 5 requirements.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that the open architecture design and high-density field-programmable gate array technology on these IFF transponders ensure ongoing versatility and future utility through software upgrades, without the risk and cost associated with hardware modifications.
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