Frogman
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The AIM-7P is a beyond visual range missile so you're incorrect there. The US has not released its latest beyond visual range missile which has an active radar unlike the AIM-7, that is the disadvantage. You're also incorrect in presuming that Egyptian -16s are "useless" because they're hindered in one aspect when it's a multi role fighter.
That's not how IFF systems work.
These are initial orders.
Your assumption that the R-77 is somehow not advanced is based on what exactly?
Anything with a radar can track anything with a cross section.
You mean the exact same jets they regularly exercised with?
You didn't read the article you posted. Well, the one from a respected defence orientated website.
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Considered as an ancestor of the RFID, the IFF was developed during World War II to identify friendly targets. Indeed, the acronym is improper, as the system can only identify friendly targets: if an IFF interrogation receives no reply or an invalid one, the target can’t be “declared” hostile.
IFF transponder systems are used by both military and civilian aircraft. Modern IFF have two-channels: one frequency is used for interrogating signals and another for the reply.
The interrogator’s coded signal consists of two pulses spaced at a precisely defined interval. The time interval between the two pulses, discriminated by the onboard transponder circuitry, determines the IFF Mode.
Modes 1, 2, 4 and 5 are used by military planes only whereas mode 3/A, C and S are used by both military and civilian planes. However, some military aircraft (for instance, the F-18E/F Super Hornet) have only Mode 1, 2, 3/A and C modes-capable IFF transponders with Mode 4 available only with specific upgrade fix.
Here’s a quick review of IFF transponders operative modes:
- Mode 1 provides a mission code (mil only)
- Mode 2 provides the “tail number” or unit code that identifies a particular aircraft (mil only)
- Mode 3/A – provides the ATC-assigned identification code for the aircraft (civ/mil)
- Mode 4 provides a reply to crypto coded challenge (mil only)
- Mode 5 provides the secured version of Mode S and ADS-B (mil only)
- Mode C provides the aircraft’s pressure altitude (civ/mil)
- Mode S provides multiple information formats to a selective interrogation (civ/mil)
As said, the IFF enables quick identification of a friendly aircraft, but it is of little help when trying to identify hostile planes. It is not linked to the aircraft armament and (at least on the majority of the airplanes I know) it can’t prevent an interceptor from shooting at a “friendly” aircraft. T
Furthermore, IFF is automatically switched off when EMCON (Emission Control) is applied, hence, an adversary plane involved in an aggressive mission will likely have its IFF on stand-by….
“As far as I know, the IFF is not interconnected to the missile. The decision to fire and bring down a friendly plane it’s up to the pilot. At least, this is how our planes work” has explained to me an F-16 pilot I’ve inquired on this topic.
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The Turks developed their own IFF systems in order to expand their indigenous aviation industry (in preparation for TFX) and were allowed to do so because they're a major NATO member.
They would have zero reason to designate IDF assets as enemy aircraft given that both nations regularly Ex together and consider themselves allies with several joint military projects.
So can we now please move on from this myth.
Which ones exactly?
The tweet is based on an interview in which the chief of the EAF said that they're in talks with the US to upgrade the -16s to the latest variant and introduce new armament starting with older models. He didn't specify which blocks though so I would guess the As and Bs are out of the question anyway since they're being retired.
If we take it from Peace Vector IV (1994-1995) to now (PV VII) that's potentially 111 vipers or over half the Egyptian fleet. Many of those aircraft haven't been in service for more than 15 years so a MLU (to Viper) and SLEP would actually be very possible if not perfect.
More aircraft could potentially be up for upgrades (PV III 47 16s delivered 91-95) if you consider several air forces are still MLU/SLEP Vipers that have been in service since the 80s. You also have to consider the USAF is planning to push their -16s beyond 2025 and many have breached 12000 hours of flying. The -16 has a lot of flying and fighting left to do.
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