IFF/ATC Test and Certification
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 surface (maritime) platform as a friendly, via active (or passive reception) 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. As Executive Agent the Department of War 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 War/Service mission areas (e.g. Offensive Counter Air, Defensive Counter Air, and Integrated Air and Missile Defense). The 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 Office of the Secretary of War 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 War (DoW) 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 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 War to remain interoperable with our foreign military partners as well as the United States and international civil aviation community.
FY2027 planned work Continue updating and developing Identification Friend or Foe standards and support Mode 5 equipment for Air Traffic Control and Radar Beacon Systems Identification Friend or Foe Mark XII System (AIMS) for interoperability testing (civil and military). Continue steps for identification of technologies and develop requirements for the next-generation IFF (cooperative ID) system.
FY2026 to FY2027 change FY 2027 increased compared to FY 2026 by $0.003 million for inflation
FY2026 plans — current year Continue updating and developing Identification Friend or Foe standards and support Mode 5 equipment for Air Traffic Control and Radar Beacon Systems Identification Friend or Foe Mark XII System (AIMS) for interoperability testing (civil and military). Continue steps for identification of technologies and develop requirements for the next-generation IFF (cooperative ID) system.