BAE Systems has been selected by Korea Aerospace Industries to provide an upgraded Identification Friend or Foe solution for the KF-21 Boramae, under a contract valued at approximately $11 million.
The deal covers the supply of BAE’s AN/APX-127(V)1 Combined Interrogator Transponder, a modern IFF system designed to strengthen the KF-21’s capability to accurately identify allied platforms and potential adversaries. System development and integration activities are underway at BAE’s sites in New York and Texas, with certification and delivery planned for 2026.
Designed for frontline combat aircraft, the AN/APX-127(V)1 employs an open-architecture design, enabling rapid software updates and minimizing lifecycle costs compared to hardware-based upgrades. The system also meets stringent requirements for secure encryption, anti-jamming performance, and cyber resilience.
Crucially, the new CIT is a form-fit replacement for the legacy AN/APX-126(V) IFF installed on the KF-21, allowing seamless installation without airframe modifications. The system is Mark XIIB compliant, supporting both Mode S and Mode 5 encrypted data exchange to maintain full interoperability with allied forces.
By incorporating additional passive receive channels for Mode 5 Level 2 and ADS-B In, the upgraded IFF significantly improves pilot situational awareness, particularly in high-density or contested airspace environments.
