Raytheon Teams with Hanwha Systems to Enhance Friend-or-Foe Identification Technology
Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and Hanwha Systems have forged a pivotal technical cooperation agreement aimed at producing cutting-edge Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Mode 5 systems for the Korean military.
These advanced Mode 5 IFF systems empower operators to accurately identify friendly aircraft using a secure, encrypted code, significantly minimizing the chances of fratricide while enhancing overall situational awareness.
“Our Mode 5 IFF solutions help lift the fog of combat,” stated Barbara Borgonovi, Vice President of Raytheon Integrated Communication Systems. “Today’s operational environment is characterized by cluttered airspace, crowded battlefields, and uncertain seas. We are committed to providing the latest technology that enables coalition forces to distinguish between friend and foe with complete confidence, even under challenging conditions.”
As part of this agreement, Raytheon will supply its IFF technology and unmatched industry expertise, while Hanwha Systems will manage local production efforts.
To mitigate the risk of “friendly” fire incidents and bolster system security, allied nations are transitioning to the next-generation IFF known as Mode 5. This innovative technology enhances the capabilities of Mode 4 and refines the signaling waveforms, allowing for quicker and more secure communications. Unlike Mode 4, which has been in service since the 1960s and employs signals akin to Morse code, Mode 5 utilizes advanced modulation techniques that dynamically change codes every few seconds for rapid identification.
For over 70 years, Raytheon has stood at the forefront of IFF system development. Partnering with a network of global collaborators, Raytheon has successfully delivered, installed, and maintained more than 130,000 IFF systems across over 120 different types of aircraft, ships, and land vehicles worldwide.
