​UK lines up Thales IFF for future MCM programme

The Mine Hunting Capability Team in the UK MoD intends to award a £385,000 ($515,000), 14-month contract to Thales UK for three TSC 2002 IFF systems.

TSC 2002 (pictured) is a Mode 5/Mode S-compliant IFF transponder commonly fitted to aircraft such as the C-130 airlifter or H225M helicopter.

In this instance, however, it will be supplied as government-furnished equipment in the joint UK/French Maritime Mine Countermeasures (MCMM) programme.

‘The integration of the TSC2002 is critical to ensure that the UK [MCMM] system has commonality, compatibility and interoperability with the French system, which is to include an identical type of IFF,’ the MoD noted in an official statement justifying its choice.

‘There is a strict technical impracticality for any other economic operator to undertake the work required within this proposed contract as the specific model of IFF system is proprietary to Thales UK and its parent company TDMS France.’

Both the UK and French MMCM systems have been designed to use identical IFF models, in order to ensure their ability to communicate effectively and function interoperably, and so that the interface between the two systems can be maximised.

‘Failure to provide the TSC2002 model of IFF would impact upon the upcoming production phase of the MMCM systems, which have been designed around the integration and use of this specific IFF system,’ the MoD argued. ‘The integration and use of alternative models of IFF systems would not be possible without significant redesign of the overall system.’

Shephard Defence Insight forecasts a UK requirement for 12 vessels in the MCMM programme, and it expects a contract award by 2025.

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