BAE Systems has obtained Defense Department approval for a transponder intended to help the military identify both allies and enemies during combat operations.
The AN/DPX-7 Identification Friend or Foe system weighs half the existing identification friend or foe system and enables pilots to track, plan and dispatch flights, BAE said Thursday.
With this certification, the military can use the transponder to operate aircraft and ships and detect hostile forces through automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast in-and-out technology.
Sal Costa, BAE product line director for identification and processing solutions, said the system is intended to help air traffic controllers communicate with other planes, satellites and ground stations.
The Navy plans to implement the transponder in the MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft.
