cashcatz
Senior Member
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- Feb 17, 2015
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That's the story but they were likely shot down similar to the F-16 stories in Ukraine to save face.The story out there is that the battery was being operated by the Kuwaities and they set it on automatic. No matter the cause somebody screwed the pooch
Before flight, ground crew or aircrew load crypto keys (for secure modes like Mode 4/5) into the IFF using a fill device, and set required mission codes. In flight, when the fighter appears on someone’s radar, that radar or airborne interrogator sends a coded challenge. The jet’s transponder:
• Recognizes the interrogation mode and code.
• Uses its loaded crypto to generate a valid encrypted response if the challenge is correct.
• Transmits a reply on a reply frequency that includes ID, and in some modes altitude or other data.
In other words, US CENTCOM wants you to believe that the IFF on three planes failed or that the crews operating the Patriot missile batteries failed to recognize the IFF signals. If it was just one plane I would be inclined to believe CENTCOM’s explanation… But three? Sorry, this is Male Bovine Excrement.
Either way, that's not too bad of a loss and it seems pilots survived. Could have been way worse.
