What is IFF Mark X?

Introduction IFF Mark X was the NATO standard military identification friend or foe transponder system from the early 1950s until it was slowly replaced by the IFF Mark XII in the 1970s. It was also adopted by ICAO, with some modifications, as the civilian air traffic control (ATC) secondary radar (SSR) transponder. The X in… Read More

What is Identification Friend or Foe (IFF)?

Introduction Identification, friend or foe (IFF) is an identification system designed for command and control. It uses a transponder that listens for an interrogation signal and then sends a response that identifies the broadcaster. IFF systems usually use radar frequencies, but other electromagnetic frequencies, radio or infrared, may be used. It enables military and civilian… Read More

What is the OODA Loop?

Introduction The OODA loop (observe, orient, decide, act) was developed by military strategist and United States Air Force Colonel John Boyd. Outline He applied the concept to the combat operations process, often at the operational level during military campaigns. It is often applied to understand commercial operations and learning processes. The approach explains how agility… Read More

What is Revolution in Military Affairs?

Introduction A revolution in military affairs (RMA) is a hypothesis in military theory about the future of warfare, often connected to technological and organisational recommendations for military reform. Broadly stated, RMA claims that in certain periods of the history of humankind, there were new military doctrines, strategies, tactics and technologies which led to an irrecoverable… Read More

What is Swarming (Military)?

Introduction Swarming (or Fight en fourrageur) is a battlefield tactic designed to maximise target saturation, and thereby overwhelm or saturate the defences of the principal target or objective. Defenders can overcome attempts at swarming by launching counter-swarming measures that are designed to neutralise or otherwise repel such attacks. Military swarm attacks is often encountered in… Read More