Australian SHORAD receives Mode 5 IFF certification
Saab Australia has received US certification for the update to the Australian Army’s short range air-defence (SHORAD) system to the latest Identification friend or foe Mode 5 standard, the company announced on 4 September.
The certification will allow the army’s RBS 70 missile to be safely deployed on operations with US and coalition forces.
The certification process involved co-operation between the Air 90 Project Office, Combat Systems SPO, Saab Australia and Saab Dynamics.
The Mode 5 upgrade provides a more secure way of identifying Australian, US and coalition combat units to avoid the chance of blue-on-blue fratricide incidents.
The three key components of the Australian Army’s SHORAD system supplied by Saab are being upgraded. This includes the RBS 70 missile launcher, Giraffe AMB radar and the Tactical Command and Control System (TaCCS). The TaCCS analyses tracks from the radar, allocates threats to one or more RBS 70s and provides queueing of the RBS 70 to the track.
The Giraffe AMB radar provides 3D surveillance and C3 functionality with early warning against multiple air threats, including incoming rocket, artillery and mortar rounds.
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