Combat Identification Technology

The Combat Identification Technology program (PE 0603742F) is an Air Force research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) initiative focused on advancing technologies that enable the positive identification of threat and non-threat entities in the battlespace. The overarching goal of this program is to enhance the Air Force's ability to distinguish between friendly and adversarial forces, thereby improving operational effectiveness and reducing the risk of fratricide. This program is part of Budget Activity 4, Advanced Component Development and Prototypes (ACD&P), which emphasizes the evaluation and demonstration of integrated technologies in realistic operational environments. The program supports not only the Air Force but also provides technologies and products to other services, including the Army, Navy, and Missile Defense Agency (MDA).

Noncooperative Identification Subsystems represent the largest investment within this program element. The primary objective is to develop and mature sensing technologies and signal processing algorithms that can identify targets without requiring any cooperative response from them, which is essential in denied or contested environments. Key efforts include the development of Air Target Identification (ATID) and Ground Target Identification (GTID) technologies. ATID focuses on extracting features from battlespace sensors and integrating these into the Joint Multi-platform Advanced Combat Identification (JMAC) architecture, with demonstrations planned for platforms such as the F-16, F-15, and future 5th generation fighters. GTID aims to enhance identification of ground threats using synthetic aperture radar (SAR), machine learning, and passive radio-frequency techniques, with integration into platforms and weapons systems to support time-critical targeting and situational awareness.

Within Noncooperative Identification Subsystems, the program also conducts studies to identify and evaluate emerging technologies, leveraging modeling, simulation, and artificial intelligence to improve CID capabilities. These studies support both current and future program planning, enabling the transition of promising technologies into formal projects. The program emphasizes the use of government-owned, government off-the-shelf (GOTS), and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technologies, with a focus on competitive contracting and maximizing the use of non-developmental items (NDIs). Planned activities include continued maturation and demonstration of algorithms, integration of off-board data from ISR and unmanned platforms, and expansion of CID capabilities to multi-domain operations.

Cooperative Identification Techniques investigate technologies that enable rapid identification of friendly platforms through cooperative means, such as active or passive signals exchanged between entities. This thrust area includes studies on non-traditional approaches and initial work on next-generation Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems, potentially advancing beyond the current Mode 5 standard. The objective is to develop and evaluate new cooperative identification systems that can be integrated into Air Force platforms and potentially transitioned to other services. Funding supports studies to identify viable paths forward for future IFF technologies and to establish transition planning for operational deployment.

Combat ID Database Development is focused on modernizing the databases that underpin combat identification technologies. The goal is to replace static, hard-coded identification parameters in sensor systems with dynamic, parameterized values that can be rapidly updated in response to new intelligence inputs. This flexibility allows tailoring of CID databases to specific theaters, threats, and mission requirements. The project involves determining sensor capabilities, designing and developing databases to contain relevant features, generating and refining CID features, and providing updated data for operational use. Efforts include expanding supported sensor modalities, demonstrating database updates on platforms like the F-15, and advancing automation and integration with the JMAC architecture.

Across all three thrust areas, the Combat Identification Technology program supports the development, integration, and transition of new capabilities into tactical and strategic aircraft, unmanned platforms, weapons, and other systems that enable Air Force CID in the battlespace. The program coordinates with intelligence and operational agencies to ensure database and algorithm enhancements align with evolving mission requirements. Civilian pay expenses for program management and execution are supported as needed, in addition to other relevant program elements. The acquisition strategy emphasizes competitive contracting, leveraging government and commercial technologies, and ensuring technologies are demonstrated in relevant operational environments before transition.