Hensoldt delivers new Mode 5 latest IFF technology to South Korean Armed Forces

Sensor solutions specialist Hensoldt will bring its latest-technology capabilities in Identification-Friend-or-Foe (IFF) into the upcoming IFF modernization programme of the South Korean armed forces.
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Unlike Mode 4 used hitherto, Mode 5 employs sophisticated encryption techniques to avoid hostile signal manipulation, thus ensuring that the identification process is absolutely reliable and secure. (Picture source: Hensoldt)

Hensoldt was awarded by the leading South Korean defense company LIG Nex1 two contracts worth approximately €10m to deliver 20 MSSR 2000 ID secondary radars including test equipment and related services. The IFF systems will be integrated into a number of coastal surveillance and air surveillance radars to improve their ability to distinguish hostile from friendly forces (identification-friend- or-foe, IFF).

IFF systems, so-called secondary surveillance radars (SSR), precisely identify aircraft by automatically sending interrogation signals which are answered by so-called transponders on-board friendly aircraft. Thus, IFF enables field commanders to quickly distinguish friendly from hostile forces and helps avoid friendly fire incidents. Unlike Mode 4 used hitherto, Mode 5 employs sophisticated encryption techniques to avoid hostile signal manipulation, thus ensuring that the identification process is absolutely reliable and secure. “Mode 5” is in the process of being introduced in all western armies as a precondition of joint operations of US/NATO and allied forces.

Hensoldt is an expert in Mode 5 IFF. It is under contract to upgrade German, French and UK armed forces’ IFF systems to the “Mode 5” standard and has delivered IFF systems – including crypto devices - for ground and naval applications of several NATO nations. Among others, the company’s equipment is deployed on all German Navy ships as well as several UK Royal Navy ships. In total, Hensoldt has more than 500 IFF systems under contract in 42 nations.