Report: Raytheon Preps Combat Aircraft for ‘Friend or Foe’ ID Mode 5 Requirement

Raytheon plans to equip military aircraft with an identification friend or foe interrogator system to comply with an IFF mandate by June 30, 2020, Avionics International reported Wednesday.

The National Security Agency, NATO and the Joint Chiefs of Staff require in-service aircraft to transition from Mode 4 IFF to Mode 5 IFF, which allows pilots to use an encrypted code to interrogate the IFF systems of friendly aircraft at long ranges. Mode 5 alters the code every few seconds using modulation techniques to deter potential adversaries.

The Raytheon-built AN/APX-114 IFF interrogator features a Versa Module Eurocard open architecture to facilitate upgrades and is compatible with Mode 5 when utilized with the KIV-77 Mode 4/5 Crypto Applique platform.

The U.S. Air Force has selected the AN/APX-114 IFF system as part of its modernization program for the Boeing-made F-15 fighter jets.