A New Friend-Foe (IFF) System

 

MS-OMR (Photo: Thermal Beacon Ltd)

19/9/2011 Marina Golan - israeldefense.com

A new IFF (Identification Friend Or foe) device - “Natali” - designed to prevent friendly fire, is produced by the Israeli company Thermal Beacon Ltd.

The new apparatus looks like a flashlight. It transmits flashing signals that can be picked up only by special devices that are not observable to an enemy equipped with means capable of detecting infrared (IR) radiation. Troops switch on the new apparatus and wave it to signal other IDF ground forces or air units that they’re a “friend” and not a “foe”. In this way, the expectations are to cut down on combat incidents in which troops fall victim to accidents.

“Natali” belongs to the family of thermal signature products, developed by Thermal Beacon. Some of the devices are permanently installed in helmets or vehicles. A thermal camera identifies a “friend” by creating a heat detected image, it is also able to “see through” camouflage. In addition to its operation at frequencies not picked up by “regular” night vision devices, “Natali” also has an IR button designed for emergencies, when a soldier has to stand out in the field, even at the risk of being seen by the enemy. The basic personal identification device – an MS-OMR - installed in the helmet can be seen from a distance of four kilometers.

On the other side of the spectrum is the MARK-4. This device is mounted on heavy vehicles, like tanks, artillery pieces, trucks and ambulances.

Thermal signature products do not require integration with other electronic devices.

“The army is becoming more and more digital, and the devices that soldiers employ on the battlefield have to know how to ‘converse’ with one another”, says Thermal Beacon CEO, Avi Peer. Peer acknowledges that Thermal Beacon has recently signed a contract to supply IFF equipment to one of the Coalition countries currently fighting in Afghanistan.