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4w ago

BAE Systems' AN/APX-127(V)1 Gains AIMS Certification for F-16 IFF

Certification lets F-16s use a drop-in, software-upgradeable IFF that meets NATO encrypted Mode 5 standards with initial deliveries due in 2026.

F-16 Friend or Foe system (render)
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Pictured is a U.S. Air Force photo of an F-16 with the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, flying over the Korean peninsula on April 4, 2023.
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Overview

  • BAE announced on Tuesday that the AN/APX-127(V)1 received AIMS Mark XIIB certification from the U.S. Department of War, clearing it for use on U.S. Air Force F-16s and confirming compliance with U.S. and NATO IFF standards.
  • The AN/APX-127(V)1 combines interrogator and transponder functions into a single, same-form-factor unit that can replace AN/APX-113(V), AN/APX-125(V) and AN/APX-126(V) without aircraft redesign.
  • The unit is certified for Mode S and encrypted Mode 5 exchanges and adds extra receive channels for passive capture of Mode 5 Level 2 data and ADS-B signals to give pilots more situational awareness.
  • BAE says the CIT supports current cryptography and cybersecurity resilience, uses an open-system architecture and higher processing capacity so new capabilities can be added by software rather than hardware changes.
  • BAE expects to begin delivering an initial 90-unit production lot from its Greenlawn, New York and Austin, Texas facilities in 2026, but the company has not disclosed buyers, allocation to specific units, or contract terms.