Millimeter wave sensor for identification of friend or foe

Millitech proposes to develop subsystem module and component technology for millimeter wave interrogators and responders for use in IFF systems. The friendly fire casualities suffered by US and British forces during Operation Desert Storm are recent reminders of this unpleasant fact of warfare. Technology is now available, however, to largely eliminate the friendly fire problem. The IFF system consists of two major subsystems: a weapon-associated interrogator and a potential target-associated responder. The interrogator, co-boresighted with the weapon's sight, is used to interrogate the target and determine that target's allegiance. The rsponder, located on the asset to be protected, responds to a valid interrogation code with an encoded transmission. A valid response received at the interrogator identifies the asset as a friendly. Millimeter wavelengths offer significant advantages for one or both links in an IFF system. The short wavelength compared to microwave and longer wavelengths allow for higher resolution interrogators of suitable size. The ability to penetrate battlefield obscurants is a major advantage relative to IR and shorter wavelengths. During Phase I, several system approaches will be evaluated against predetermined criteria and proof of concept component and module hardware designed. Fabrication and testing of this hardware is proposed as an option.