DOD gets assistance with IFF system

Alion Science and Technology Inc. will help the Defense Department evaluate an identification system designed to reduce friendly fire accidents under a three-year contract valued at $1.5 million.

The delivery order calls for Alion to provide modeling and simulation work on the military’s new Mark XIIA Mode 5 Identification Friend or Foe system.

The work, which falls under the Alion-operated Modeling and Simulation Information Analysis Center contract, seeks to ensure that the new IFF provides timely and accurate ID and situational awareness to the warfighter to prevent casualties from friendly fire.

Using a radio-based ID system, IFF enables the warfighter to differentiate friendly aircraft, vehicles and forces from enemy ones, company officials said.

Because the Mark XIIA Mode 5 IFF incorporates radio waveforms, Alion’s work also will try to ensure that the waveforms are compatible with Air Traffic Control standards and do not interfere with airwaves that support the safe operations of aircraft.

The modeling and simulation and performance results will be provided to the Defense Department International ATC Radar System, IFF, and Mark XII Systems Program Office, which is under the direction of the Office of the under secretary of Defense for Acquisition Technology & Logistics.

Alion Science and Technology, of McLean, Va., ranks No. 39 on Washington Technology’s 2009 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.