AFRL Develops Friend-Versus-Foe Identification System

  • Published
  • By Materials and Manufacturing Directorate
  • AFRL/RX
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  AFRL researchers developed a technology that helps warfighters distinguish friendly forces from adversaries during combat exercises. The lab teamed with Lumitex, Inc., to create and field the Target Recognition Operator Notification system, which has the potential to save lives and increase combat effectiveness. Dubbed TRON for short, the AFRL/industry-developed system uses fiber-optic panels and a light source to provide a light-emitting surface that permits more accurate identification of friend versus foe in the field.

AFRL partnered with Lumitex (Strongsville, Ohio) to further develop methods established by the Army. TRON consists of Lumitex's patented thin and flexible fiber-optic woven cloth, cut to military specifications. Individual sheets of the tailored cloth are laminated into layers that are then formed into lighting devices of various shapes and sizes. The woven nature of the cloth causes light to be emitted in a controlled way, creating a uniform light-emitting surface. Scientists expect the technology to be inexpensive and rapidly fieldable. TRON has a long battery life, running 200 hrs on two AA batteries; it also weighs less than 3 oz. Personnel can wear the system under clothing, on outer tactical vests, on an arm, or mounted to a helmet. The AFRL/ Lumitex team produced 108 prototypes in a period of 6 months.

TRON III, a larger system subsequently devised for identifying friendly force positions during close air support operations, uses the same fiber-optic cloth as TRON but is six times brighter. TRON III's bright coloring improves daytime recognition. In addition, the system hooks into a vehicle's power supply, eliminating the need for an external power source. This prototype's development occurred as a joint effort between AFRL scientists, who decided on the specifications, and Lumitex scientists, who built the system. The team fielded TRON III for testing just 3 months after the need for the system was established.

TRON I and III systems are currently aiding warfighters in deployed locations. Both systems were part of Red Flag, a joint air operation exercise held at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Under real-world conditions, TRON I has facilitated successful marking and cordoning of an unused improvised explosive device, which a bomb disposal team was quickly able to identify and destroy. Likewise, it has also supported more than 40 close air support missions. TRON III, meanwhile, has played a role in at least two successful close air support missions.