WICHITA, Kan., 4 Aug. 2011. The Aeroflex APM-424(V)5 identification friend or foe (IFF) portable test set from Aeroflex Test Solutions in Wichita, Kan., has been certified by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Air Traffic Control Radar System (ATCRBS), Identification Friend or Foe (IFF), Mark XII/XIIA, Systems program office -- better-known as AIMS -- for flight-line test equipment for IFF transponders and interrogators.

DOD certification ensures that the Aeroflex APM-424(V)5 avionics ramp test equipment complies with DOD AIMS 03-1000A performance standards for Mark XIIA performance, and ICAO Annex 10 international standards for Mode S ELS/EHS performance, company officials say.

The APM-424(V)5 replaces the Aeroflex APM-424(V)3, TS-4530, and TS-4530-1 avionics test and measurement equipment. Mode 5 upgrade kits are available for existing test sets. Upgraded units can be used with current technical orders and technical manuals.

IFF Mode 5 is a encrypted aircraft identification system that helps air traffic controllers tell the difference between friendly aircraft, vehicles, or forces, and their distance from the interrogator and direction of travel.

The Aeroflex APM-424(V)5 is a lightweight flight line test set for non-commercial, pre-mission testing of IFF transponders and interrogators, Aeroflex officials say. It tests development in secure IFF Mode 5. Levels 1 and 2 have enhanced encryption, spread spectrum modulation, and time of day authentication.

The APM-424(V)5's transponder test mode verifies Mode 5 code load and mission/platform parameters. For more information contact Aeroflex Test Solutions online at www.aeroflex.com/ats.

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