US Navy Teams Completed IFF Mode 5 Developmental Testing for F/A-18E/F and EA-18G Aircraft

: Posted On Thursday, 14 May 2015 10:54

Naval Defense Industry News - USA

US Navy Teams Completed IFF Mode 5 Developmental Testing for F/A-18E/F and EA-18G Aircraft

The US Navy Naval Air Traffic Management Systems Program Office (PMA-213) took the next evolutionary step with the threat-recognition system for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler through a series of ground and flight test events conducted by Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23, along with the PMA-213 Combat Identification (CID) team.

ARABIAN GULF (Feb. 25, 2012) From top; an F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, flown by Lt. Cmdr. Warren Tomlinson and Lt. j.g. Josh Raymond, an F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 81 flown by Lt. Daniel Solfelt, an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113, flown by Cmdr. Craig Sicola, and an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25 flown by Lt. Taylor Hesse, fly over the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones during a mission flown from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson and CVW 17 are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James R. Evans/Released)

Developmental testing for IFF Mode 5 equipment, which is known as an RT-1763C/APX-111(V) Combined Interrogator Transponder (CIT) was performed and completed at Patuxent River Naval Air Station from June 2013 through February 2015.

The developmental testing effort was led by Andrew Tebbano, CID test engineer, and Stephanie Boyd, F/A-18 CID/IFF test lead.

“IFF in warfare is paramount and PMA-213 is providing the Navy with the most advanced information technology available for this important capability,” said Thomas Youhn, Naval Air Systems Test and Evaluation program manager. “CID integration software testing was completed in time to meet the PMA-265 H10 software configuration set operational schedule bringing Mode 5 and improved capabilities to the F/A-18 fleet.”

Through a series of ground and flight test events Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23, along with the PMA-213 Combat Identification (CID) team were performing developmental testing for IFF Mode 5 equipment, which is known as an RT-1763C/APX-111(V) Combined Interrogator Transponder (CIT) at Patuxent River Naval Air Station from June 2013 through February 2015.

In an operational environment, Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air (NIFC-CA) provides enhanced offensive and defensive counter-air mission performance for long-range fire control and projection.

For the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler, carrying out the NIFC-CA strategy, Mode 5, will provide a highly reliable, safe and positive friendly identification capability, explained Youhn.

“IFF has matured a great deal since the days of old when national markings were used on airplanes to visually identify nationality and determine friend or foe,” said Youhn. “Modern technology allows for identification within hundreds of miles of separation to increase the pilot’s safety levels, which allows the Navy to bring ‘em back alive.”