IFF Systems for Combat vehicles.

<XMP><BODY></xmp> IFF Systems for Combat vehicles.

        During the Second World War, German tank crews would drape their national flag across the back of their vehicles to prevent them being attacked by Stukas and other close support aircraft. Later in the war Allied vehicles would place brightly coloured panels of material across the rear decks of their vehicles. Colour of the panel could be varied from day to day to prevent the enemy doing the same.
        In the Gulf, friendly vehicles were identified by a small red lamp placed on the back of the turret. That such measures were inadequate was tragically proven when an American A-10 fired upon a British Warrior vehicle, killing several servicemen. Ten years later during the invasion of Iraq a similiar event occured, the victim this time a British Sabre.
        Modern air to ground weaponry can be used against targets miles distant. A modern armoured vehicle costs millions of dollars and mounts many sophisticated electronic systems, so why is there no electronic IFF systems on AFVs?

UPDATE

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/bcis.htm

        A Vehicle IFF system does appear to now be in developement.
        The Code Strobe system descibed elsewhere might also have applications for vehicles, particularly Auxilary vehicles unlikely to be fitted with BCIS.

FEEDBACK
        Ralph Zumbro writes:- Phil, Ref IFF......The MAIN problem is basic communications. The fighter-bombers can't normally recieve infantry/armor frequencies.

        Put a standard ground combat radio in the cockpit and reserve ONE channel for "You're shooting at friendlies, you stupid sod!" and the problem will go away. Alternativly, you could just put a Stinger homer on the aircraft.

        The best air support I personally ever got was from a Vietnamese pilot with an AD-1 Skyraider and a tank radio in the cockpit........He came up on MY frequency and asked what I needed. I said "Watch my tracer" and he put a 500 pounder where I sent the 90mm.

        PW: A radio link between ground vehicles and attack aircraft suggests that vehicles could have a "Panic button" that transmits a coded "Abort Attack Run!" signal. This might also be linked to visual signals on the vehicle too.

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