What is the function of a transponder in an IFF system?

In an Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system, the primary function of a transponder is to receive signals from interrogators and send back coded replies. This process is crucial for distinguishing friendly forces from potential threats. When an aircraft equipped with a transponder receives a specific signal from a radar system, it responds automatically with a unique code. This coded reply is what identifies the aircraft as friendly, allowing for safe operations within combat zones.

The significance of this function lies in enhancing situational awareness and decision-making in military operations, preventing friendly fire incidents, and ensuring that allies can effectively communicate their presence through their unique identifiers. The clean, automated nature of this interaction significantly reduces the risk of misclassification in high-stakes environments.

Other options, while related to broader military operations and communications, do not specifically capture the primary role of the transponder in the context of IFF systems.