IFF on the ground in Afghanistan
An interesting question posed by Jack of Jack's Newswatch, to which I don't have an answer.
To what extent do Canadian troops on the ground in Afghanistan have access to IFF when deployed? Is there an effective ground based IFF? At what level is it used - Company, Platoon?
Jack posed the question in response to the release of the A10 Friendly Fire Board of Inquiry investigating the incident in September of 2006 that killed Pte. Mark Anthony Graham and injured 30 more.
Here's one American reference that I found.
And a second.
To what extent do Canadian troops on the ground in Afghanistan have access to IFF when deployed? Is there an effective ground based IFF? At what level is it used - Company, Platoon?
Jack posed the question in response to the release of the A10 Friendly Fire Board of Inquiry investigating the incident in September of 2006 that killed Pte. Mark Anthony Graham and injured 30 more.
Here's one American reference that I found.
And a second.
posted by WE Speak at 7:16 p.m.
2 Comments:
Conventional airborne IFF normally isn't used on surface forces. There are limited channels/numeric identifiers. The only exceptions I can think of are some naval ships. In any case, no helicopter that I know of comes fitted with an interrogator and nor does the A-10. They are fitted with transponders only (to avoid getting shot down by fighters).
The various forms of infrared identifiers (tapes, lights, etc) are generally only of use at night. If they were to be used during the day, it have to be sure that 1) they work during the day, and 2) that the person doing the shooting looked through an IR gunsight before shooting -- something which isn't certain. In any case, the Taliban are running around with their own night vision goggles, so this form of overt night-time identification might have seen its best days.
During the day? I guess the best thing is to be seen. Big Day-Glo panels are probably the way to go. Or a big Canadian flag. With a bit of thought put into it, it should be possible to rig them up so that they can't be seen on the ground, but they can be seen from the air. If that same banner glows in the dark (in the IR spectrum), you might have a day/night solution.
Should you choose to unfurl the 'banner' of course( taking into account the vulnerabilities I mentioned)
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