[Avionics Today May 5, 2014] The U.K. has added a Mode S upgrade to the Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) interrogator for its fleet of Sentry E-3D Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) based at the Royal Air Force Waddington.
The upgrade, developed by Northrop Grumman, enables the aircraft to be used within controlled airspace. Integration of the Mode S upgrade was the most complex series of modifications that the company has carried out to date for the Sentry aircraft fleet, Northrop Grumman said.
"This innovative system upgrade has eliminated the need for complete mission computer replacement, thereby providing the Ministry of Defence with a comprehensive, affordable solution to the Civil Aviation Authority’s upgrade requirement," said John Parker, director, weapon system sustainment and modernisation, Northrop Grumman Technical Services. "The new, open architecture system also provides a foundation for future incremental hardware and software upgrades to support sustainment of the Sentry E-3D."