Ultra-Hard Diamond-Like Nanocomposite Coatings for Wear Applications

Not Available Mode S provides a means whereby a ground air traffic control (ATC) system may interrogate an aircraft equipped with a transponder. The response of the transponder allows the ground system to determine the aircraft's identity and position for ATC purposes. Mode S provides numerous improvements over previous systems, particularly in terms of ability to resolve closely spaced targets and to provide a unique aircraft identification (ID). The unique ID of Mode S is perceived to be beneficial to Navy combat identification systems in order to identify commercial aircraft (neutrals). The Navy Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems currently don't have a capability to perform Mode S interrogation and processing. ZAI/AMELEX proposes to provide this capability by developing a circuit board that will essentially plug and play in the existing Navy interrogator/processor IFF systems that employ a common open system architecture (VME). The Phase I study will investigate what benefits for Navy combat identification can be derived from the Mode S capability and how best to achieve them without loss of existing Navy IFF capability or interference with civilian systems. The board design will meet the specific requirements determined by the study as well as civilian ATC requirements.