BAE Systems to provide identification friend or foe (IFF) avionics transponders for U.S. and allied aircraft
PATUXENT RIVER NAS, Md. – Avionics experts at BAE Systems will provide Mode 5-capable common identification friend or foe (IFF) digital transponder systems and spare parts for U.S. Navy, Army, and allied fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters under terms of a $15.4 million order.
Officials of the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., will provide IFF transponders for Navy, Army, and allied aircraft.
For the Navy, the order is for 20 AN/APX-117A (V) IFF transponders; 10 AN/APX-118A (V) IFF transponders; 62 AN/APX-123A (V) IFF transponders; six integration of Mode 5 kits; 18 Mode 5 remote-control units; 20 Mode 5 upgraded remote controls; 19 IFF transponder mounting trays; 10 spare receivers and transmitters; 15 power supplies; 10 signal processors; five Mode 5 chassis; 10 Mode 5 spares; five repair - AN/APX-117(V)/117A(V); 10 repair - AN/APX-118(V)/118A (V); and 30 repair - AN/APX-123(V)/123A (V).
For the Army, the order is for 134 AN/APX-123A (V) IFF transponders; one RT-1835/RT-1836 to RT-1912A modification; 20 single-board computers; and 26 RT-1912 to RT-1912A modification kits. For U.S. allies, the order is for 32 AN/APX-123A (V) IFF transponders.
The AN/APX-117A(V), AN/APX-118A(V), and AN/APX-123A(V) avionics transponders 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 order BAE Systems will do the work in Greenlawn, N.Y. and Austin, Texas, and should be finished by December 2025. For more information contact BAE Systems Electronic Systems online at www.baesystems.com.
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.
