Leveraging COTS Products for Maneuverable Aerial Identification

Ground troops are equipped with identification-friend-or-foe (IFF) devices. When they are engaged in a firefight, they seek cover and concealment, and consequently, their attached IFF are also covered and concealed. The situation is aggravated when firefights happen at night in vegetated areas, presenting additional challenges for air force pilots when conducting close air support (CAS) operations. Hence, ground troops need to be able to deploy a visual reference above the canopy of vegetation while they remain concealed physically. By contrast, the absence of visual reference may result in the delay of pilots positively identifying the friendly forces; provide additional time for enemy action; expose aircraft unnecessarily; and potentially cause fratricide.