OE-120 Only Electronically Scanned Antenna in USN Service
On 25 July, BAE Systems announced it has delivered its 150th OE-120 Identification Friend-or-Foe (IFF) antenna to the US Navy (USN). Used to identify friendly vessels and/or aircraft, the OE-120 is installed on some 150 US and allied vessels worldwide, from frigates to aircraft carriers.
Originally designed to support the AEGIS combat system, the OE-120 antenna is the only electronically scanned IFF antenna used by the USN, accommodating all standard IFF modes for a wide range of mission requirements. It offers instantaneous, multiple target identification against today’s sophisticated air threats, providing enhanced situational awareness for the fleet.
“With this product, BAE Systems delivers more than just hardware. It delivers coherent capabilities to our team,” commented Naval Air Traffic Management Systems Programme Manager, Capt. Joseph Hornbuckle.
Spanning more than 75 years of IFF experience, BAE Systems has delivered more than 13,000 transponders, 1,000 interrogators, and 4,500 combined interrogator/transponder systems. The company’s IFF technology is applicable for existing, new, and emerging platforms, including UAS, ships, and fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. The long history of this high-reliability antenna will continue, as a recent modernisation will maintain it in active service for years to come.