IFF

From Wing Commander Encyclopedia

IFF is an abbreviation for Identify Friend or Foe. Every ship in known space carries an IFF transponder on board to identify it to others in a given area. It is used by military forces across known space to distinguish friendly ships from foes, and forms the method by which the Friend-or-Foe missile locates targets.

It is possible to falsify IFF transponder signals, as has been done several times by Terran Confederation forces. Notably, the TCS Concordia transmitted a fake IFF signal at the conclusion of the First Battle of Kilrah in the Baragh System in 2667. It used a Kilrathi IFF code to sneak into the system to provide cover for the retreating TCS Tarawa. Also, Confederation Marines used a last minute switch to a Kilrathi IFF to board the Hakaga-class super carriers during the Battle of Earth in 2668.