M2k IFF Update

[kotor633]

Hi,

With the updates DCS 2.9.0.47168 Open Beta & DCS 2.9.1.48111 Open Beta there was an update for the Mirage regarding the IFF. Since this update was a bit lost in my opinion and didn't describe exactly what this update entails, I'm glad that there is now at least a video. Thanks to the video creator.

 

Edited November 17, 2023 by kotor633

[Falconeer]

Thanks for the link. To bad Razbam themselfs don't have the time to explain the new features or procedures they implement (as others do). It's very subtile mentioned in the patch notes and really easy to look over

 

DCS: M-2000C by RAZBAM Simulations

• Added: IFF Transponder.

 

Edited November 18, 2023 by Falconeer

[myHelljumper]

7 hours ago, Falconeer said:

Thanks for the link. To bad Razbam themselfs don't take the time to explain the new features or procedures they implement (as others do). It's very subtile mentioned in the patch notes and really easy to look over

 

DCS: M-2000C by RAZBAM Simulations

• Added: IFF Transponder.

 

Hi, I released an updated version of the manual on our Discord that covers the IFF update and the kneeboard has a special page that notes the important changes.

I was not able to make all the changes needed for the manual to be released with the module. I should've posted the IFF section which is 99% ready on the forum in the mean time.

Here it is, sorry for the inconvenience.

IFF_extract.pdf

[Falconeer]

16 minutes ago, myHelljumper said:

Hi, I released an updated version of the manual on our Discord that covers the IFF update and the kneeboard has a special page that notes the important changes.

I was not able to make all the changes needed for the manual to be released with the module. I should've posted the IFF section which is 99% ready on the forum in the mean time.

Here it is, sorry for the inconvenience.

IFF_extract.pdf 1.11 MB · 2 downloads

 

It's ok, i know you are guys are busy.

 

Carry on

[Amarok_73]

By the way, can anyone enlighten me how in the real life looks like the process of assignment and distribution of IFF codes to the planes taking part in the conflict?
I assume they're top secret so how it is? The cartridge with pre-programmed codes are provided to the pilots, so they don't know the codes, and cannot SMS them to the "better payer", or they're provided at the briefing time to the flight/group members in "Top Secret" marked envelopes just before mission, so they're keyed-in to the avionics systems in the cold start process, they're common for all the coalition, or group/flight specific, or any mix of the above?

 

 

[Galinette]

1 hour ago, Amarok_73 said:

By the way, can anyone enlighten me how in the real life looks like the process of assignment and distribution of IFF codes to the planes taking part in the conflict?
I assume they're top secret so how it is? The cartridge with pre-programmed codes are provided to the pilots, so they don't know the codes, and cannot SMS them to the "better payer", or they're provided at the briefing time to the flight/group members in "Top Secret" marked envelopes just before mission, so they're keyed-in to the avionics systems in the cold start process, they're common for all the coalition, or group/flight specific, or any mix of the above?

 

 

Modes 1/2/3 are not secure. They are not used for RoE. They are used for coordination, M1 will identify the task, M2 uniquely identifies an aircraft, and M3 is AFAIK for being identified by civilian ATC and identifying civilian aircraft (because it's the civilian mode A)

Mode 4 is secure. It uses a bigger key that is loaded by ground crew. There are actually two keys named A and B that the pilot can select, common use is having each key being used for a zulu time day, and everyone switches at zulu midnight. So key A will be the key chosen by the coalition for the flight departure day, and B for the next day. There are maybe other real life procedures for keys A/B, such as B used in case A is suspected of being compromised (hacked by the opponent), all is classified.

In DCS M-2000C, currently:
 - A and B are two different keys, the pilot has no access to the actual key and can just select A or B as IRL
 - All aircraft in the same coalition on a server share the same A key and B key independently of their zulu departure day. That's for simplicity, to ensure that two friendlies using key A will recognize each other. It might change in the future if users show interest in being more realistic, maybe with an option.
 - Aircraft from different coalitions have incompatible keys

Warning : key erasure is implemented. If you land and do not select "HOLD" within one minute, or if you select "ZERO" at any time, the keys are wiped. You don't have mode 4 anymore.

The "AUDIO" switch position allows having audio warnings whenever you are interrogated in Mode 4 by an incompatible key. This means you either:
 - Have wiped keys or an IFF failure
 - Have selected key B while the interrogating aircraft has selected A, or conversely
 - Are interrogated by an ennemy in mode 4.