Leonardo: 290 million contract with Hensoldt for UK Defence

Rome - Leonardo signed a contract with the UK Ministry of Defence to the value of more than 290 million Euro. Together with Hensoldt, and as part of the "Team Skytale" grouping, the company will update the identification systems (Identification Friend or Foe - Iff) to Mode 5 standard on more than 350 of the UK's aircraft, land-based and naval platforms.Iff technology is key to all military operations because it works as a modern password system based on a check request mechanism (challenge-response) via automatic electronic signals.

This helps distinguish between allied forces who, when interrogated, will reply with the correct signal, and potential threats who, on the contrary, will not. By the end of 2020 all NATO member countries will need to have updated their identification systems to the new Mode 5 standard that uses the more recent cryptographic technology to protect systems against being deceived by enemies. This is a particularly important aspect when Armed Forces are working together because guaranteeing that land-based, air and naval crews can reliably identify allied forces is one way of preventing accidents caused by so called "friendly fire".