BAE Systems to provide IFF transponders for U.S. Navy and Army fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter avionics
PATUXENT RIVER NAS, Md. – U.S. Navy avionics experts are asking the BAE Systems Electronic Systems segment in Greenlawn, N.Y., to provide hundreds of identification-friend-or-foe (IFF) transponders for military aircraft under terms of an $18 million order announced this week.
Officials of the Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., are awarding this contract modification to BAE Systems, which involves IFF transponders for jet fighter-bombers, helicopters, trainer aircraft, and transport aircraft. IFF transponders transmit coded messages that identify aircraft as friendly and determines their range and bearing from ground- or air-based interrogators.
The order calls for BAE Systems to provide 308 Mode 5 capable AN/APX-123A(V) common identification friend or foe digital transponder systems; as many as five Mode 5 capable AN/APX-117A(V) systems; and one Mode 5 capable AN/APX-118A(V) system.
BAE Systems also will provide 289 Mode 5 kits; and shop-replaceable assemblies and repairs related to IFF modifications to Navy, U.S. Army, and non-defense fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.
Related: Sagetech demonstrates tiny IFF transponder for military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
The AN/APX-117A(V), AN/APX-118A(V), and AN/APX-123A(V) are part of the BAE Systems common transponder (CXP) family that is the Navy's and Army's standard transponder for all new aircraft and aircraft upgrades.
The transponders are built on an open-system architecture and high-density field-programmable gate array (FPGA) technology that provides for system flexibility and future systems improvements through software-only upgrades.
The CXP family of IFF transponders is configured to replace all AN/APX-100, AN/APX-101, AN/APX-108, AN/APX-64, AN/APX-72 and AN/UPX-28 transponders. All CXP transponders weigh less than 12 pounds with embedded cryptography, and measure 5.375 by 5.375 by 8.375 inches. Their radio control units measure 5.25 by 5.75 by 3 inches.
On this contract BAE Systems will do the work in Greenlawn, N.Y.; and Austin, Texas, and should be finished by December 2026. For more information contact BAE Systems Electronic Systems online at www.baesystems.com, or Naval Air Systems Command at www.navair.navy.mil.
John Keller | Editor-in-Chief
John Keller is the Editor-in-Chief, Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine--provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronics and optoelectronic technologies in military, space and commercial aviation applications. John has been a member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since 1989 and chief editor since 1995.
