EADS to modernize identification systems of Slovakian aircraft

EADS Defence and Security (DS) will modernize the identification systems of the Slovakian armed forces in order to avoid friendly fire and to increase air traffic security. According to an announcement made by the company, Defence Electronics (DE), an integrated activity of DS, has been awarded a contract for the upgrade of existing MSSR 2000 I IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) systems to NATO Mode 4 standard. IFF systems automatically exchange data such as origin, course, speed etc., thus enabling precise identification. This data exchange in the military field is based upon encrypted signals which cannot be analyzed or jammed by hostile forces. This supplements the information supplied by other sources and in this way improves monitoring of crisis regions. Since own forces can thus be identified quickly and reliably, accidental attacks on own or allied forces can be avoided, above all during multinational operations. “Due to the increasing complexity of combat situations and scenarios, identification is today an existential matter during all military operations,” explained Bernd Wenzler, CEO of Defence Electronics. “And thanks to those equipments, Slovakia will be able to actively participate to future NATO operations". Defence Electronics has delivered many IFF systems to several NATO nations for ground and naval applications. For example, the MSSR 2000 I interrogator is deployed on German naval vessels and by the naval forces of France, Norway and Finland for the military friend-or-foe identification (IFF). Furthermore, DS is also active in the field of civil Air Traffic Control. DE’s identification systems are used for air traffic control in such countries as Portugal and the Philippines.