3 ms·

Doesn’t mention anyway to change the code either. So all the energy has to do is record the good guy IFF and gaffa tape a copy of the device to their guys and t

Doesn’t mention anyway to change the code either. So all the energy has to do is record the good guy IFF and gaffa tape a copy of the device to their guys and they’re good.

TeMPOraL 6y ago
And a solution that would require code change isn't nice either, as rekeying equipment and spreading the public keys around is a huge logistics ordeal. These problems are never as easy as "pulse some light with some crypto on top". Hell, the very existence of an active IFF signal is already something that distinguishes you as a military target, so the enemy could just use your IFF as a homing beacon.
- Aeolun 6y ago
  From the article I understand that it’s not an active device. The beacon is passive until it is illuminated by the firing party. Theoretically maybe still a problem if the enemy is waiting for that moment to shoot at you, but to wait for a friendly fire incident seems a bit inefficient.
  - h0l0gr4ph1c 6y ago
    so the firing party has an active homing beacon, aimed at you, just before they are about to fire? hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm yep no problems with that approach at all
    - Aeolun 6y ago
      Can you avoid a hellfire missile if you know it’s coming? Those things use active radar themselves, or alternatively, follow a laser (presumably generally from the firing vehicle). I’m not sure if the temporary radar pulse is going to make much difference.
      - TeMPOraL 6y ago
        > Can you avoid a hellfire missile if you know it’s coming? Not really, but if the aircraft launching that Hellfire announces itself like that prior to firing, just to check who you are, it may give you just enough information to fire at it preemptively, or at least know (or let others know) where to look for it. It's not a problem if the US is fighting a technologically inferior opponent, but apparently (from what I've read on HN the other day), the US military is retooling itself towards competition with China, so they have to consider their technological trickery being used against them.
        Aeolun 6y ago
        > at least know (or let others know) where to look for it I think this only works for the targeted party, which sends a pulse, which you could potentially triangulate on. The firing aircraft sends a very narrow beam of signal, so unless you have a specific setup to detect the direction of the signal, you’ll just know you were hit by an unidentified radio beam. I’m not a radio expert though, who knows what I’m missing :)

Doesn’t mention anyway to change the code either. So all the energy has to do is record the good guy IFF and gaffa tape a copy of the device to their guys and they’re good.

TeMPOraL 6y ago

And a solution that would require code change isn't nice either, as rekeying equipment and spreading the public keys around is a huge logistics ordeal. These problems are never as easy as "pulse some light with some crypto on top". Hell, the very existence of an active IFF signal is already something that distinguishes you as a military target, so the enemy could just use your IFF as a homing beacon.

Aeolun 6y ago
From the article I understand that it’s not an active device. The beacon is passive until it is illuminated by the firing party. Theoretically maybe still a problem if the enemy is waiting for that moment to shoot at you, but to wait for a friendly fire incident seems a bit inefficient.
- h0l0gr4ph1c 6y ago
  so the firing party has an active homing beacon, aimed at you, just before they are about to fire? hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm yep no problems with that approach at all
  - Aeolun 6y ago
    Can you avoid a hellfire missile if you know it’s coming? Those things use active radar themselves, or alternatively, follow a laser (presumably generally from the firing vehicle). I’m not sure if the temporary radar pulse is going to make much difference.
    - TeMPOraL 6y ago
      > Can you avoid a hellfire missile if you know it’s coming? Not really, but if the aircraft launching that Hellfire announces itself like that prior to firing, just to check who you are, it may give you just enough information to fire at it preemptively, or at least know (or let others know) where to look for it. It's not a problem if the US is fighting a technologically inferior opponent, but apparently (from what I've read on HN the other day), the US military is retooling itself towards competition with China, so they have to consider their technological trickery being used against them.
      - Aeolun 6y ago
        > at least know (or let others know) where to look for it I think this only works for the targeted party, which sends a pulse, which you could potentially triangulate on. The firing aircraft sends a very narrow beam of signal, so unless you have a specific setup to detect the direction of the signal, you’ll just know you were hit by an unidentified radio beam. I’m not a radio expert though, who knows what I’m missing :)