BAE Systems has been awarded an $11 million contract by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to integrate its AN/APX-127(V)1 Combined Interrogator Transponder (CIT) into the KF-21 Boramae fighter aircraft.
This advanced Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system improves operational decision-making by enabling reliable identification of friendly forces versus potential adversaries in contested environments.
Designed for tactical aircraft, the CIT offers flexibility to support both current and future mission demands, helping warfighters operate effectively in an evolving battlespace. Its open-architecture design allows for software-based upgrades, minimizing the cost and risk associated with hardware changes. The system delivers advanced multi-function performance while meeting modern requirements for encryption, anti-jamming protection, and cybersecurity resilience.
Seth Guanu, program area director for Combat Identification Products at BAE Systems, stated that the APX-127 CIT will provide the KF-21 with cutting-edge IFF capabilities, strengthening the Republic of Korea’s national defense posture. He added that the system enhances air superiority for fifth-generation fighter pilots while ensuring interoperability with U.S. and allied forces.
The AN/APX-127(V)1 shares the same form factor as the AN/APX-126(V), making it a direct replacement for the system currently installed on the KF-21. Certified to Mark XIIB IFF standards, it supports Mode S and Mode 5 secure, encrypted communications. The upgraded capability improves situational awareness through additional receive channels, enabling passive detection of friendly aircraft using Mode 5 Level 2 and Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast In in complex operational environments.
BAE Systems’ next-generation IFF solutions are designed to address component obsolescence and increase processing power to accommodate future capabilities. With over eight decades of experience, the company has delivered thousands of interrogators, transponders, and combined systems worldwide. Its IFF products support all military branches and are used across air defense, weapons systems, air traffic control, and range instrumentation for U.S. and allied forces.
Development and production of the AN/APX-127(V)1 CIT will take place at BAE Systems facilities in Greenlawn, New York, and Austin, Texas. Delivery of the KF-21 units to KAI for integration and certification is planned for 2026.
