Designed as a drop-in replacement for legacy systems including the AN/APX-113, AN/APX-125, and AN/APX-126, the new transponder consolidates essential functions into a single, compact unit. Its open-system architecture is engineered to facilitate software-based upgrades, allowing pilots to adapt to shifting threat landscapes without the need for extensive hardware overhauls. The system specifically supports Mode S and Mode 5 operations, providing encrypted data exchange and enhanced situational awareness through passive acquisition channels.
Production of the initial 90-unit lot is scheduled to begin this year across BAE Systems facilities in Greenlawn, New York, and Austin, Texas. According to Seth Guanu, program area director for Combat Identification Products, the hardware is optimized to fit existing size, weight, and power constraints while offering the processing overhead necessary for future mission requirements. This certification reinforces the company's long-standing role in supplying identification technology to U.S. and coalition forces, building on a legacy of over 20,000 delivered transponder and interrogator systems.
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