IFF/ATC Test and Certification
Abstract
Cooperative Combat Identification employs technologies required to rapidly identify friendly platforms. The program develops, integrates and evaluates technologies that provide Air Force platforms with a means of positively identifying an air or ground platform as a friendly, via active or passive cooperative identification capabilities. The development funded by this project ensures availability of a Mode 5 upgrade path for implementing ground and air platforms across the Air Force fleet. The Department of Defense International AIMSPO has system level interoperability testing and certification responsibilities for the current Mark XIIB system, development and integration of new Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system capabilities, and development/integration of civil Mode S capabilities into Mark XIIB Identification Friend or Foe equipment. The AIMSPO ensures Identification Friend or Foe equipment/platform functionality in accordance with established standards and ensures total system interoperability to meet Department of Defense/Service mission areas (e.g. Offensive Counter Air, Defensive Counter Air, and Integrated Air and Missile Defense). The cooperative goals will be to test and certify the Mark XIIB system, develop and integrate the new Mark XIIB Identification Friend or Foe system capability (Mode 5 Level 2 Broadcast) and also continue the development/integration of civil Mode S capabilities into Mark XIIB Identification Friend or Foe equipment using newly fielded M-code GPS receivers. The cooperative funds will be used to fund projects and personnel who develop and test technical standards, perform certification testing, process certifications and track all Office of the Secretary of Defense and Federal Aviation Administration guidelines to ensure the program remains current. The Office of the Secretary of Defense and Federal Aviation Administration guidelines required Mode 5 be fully implemented by FY 2020 but many platforms continue to integrate this capability. The Department of Defense (DoD) AIMS Program will ensure those certifications are current on all applicable platforms/systems and work with both domestic and foreign military sales partners to ensure compliance. The funds also support Department of Defense representation to several military (United States and NATO) and civil (Federal Aviation Administration, International Civil Aviation Organization and Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics) requirements meetings for Mode 5, Mode S and ADS-B. These important meetings allow the Department of Defense to remain interoperable with our foreign military partners as well as the United States and international civil aviation community. Department of Defense AIMS Program will continue to update the Department of Defense AIMS Mark XIIB Standards, Security Classification Guide, Handbook, and Test Requirements. This effort is in Budget Activity 4, Advanced Component Development and Prototypes (ACD&P), because efforts are necessary to evaluate integrated technologies, representative modes or prototype systems in a high fidelity and realistic operating environment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2025
- Source ID
- 642742_0207420F_4_3600_PB_2025
Related Documents
- Root: Combat Identification
- Child Accomplishment: Air Traffic Control and Radar Beacon Systems Identification Friend or Foe Mark XIIA System (AIMS) Program Office
- Child Cost Item: 05d053193d1145eb68126c53b23713fc
- Child Cost Item: d8fdaa561b8697016d6eb4421711cab9