Allen Control Systems Launches Friend and Foe Operating System (FAFOS) Long-Range Optical Drone Identification Solution
AUSTIN, Texas – Allen Control Systems (ACS), a leader in autonomous precision robotics, today announced the launch of its Friend and Foe Operating System (FAFOS) for unmanned platforms. This represents the first cryptographically secure, radio-silent identification friend-or-foe (IFF) solution purpose-built for the era of drone warfare. The system provides instantaneous, secure optical identification of drones and other platforms, eliminating reliance on vulnerable radio frequency (RF) signals in contested electromagnetic environments.
FAFOS leverages modulated near-infrared (NIR) or short-wave infrared (SWIR) optical signals to achieve authenticated identification in under 200 milliseconds at distances up to 2 kilometers. The system operates by emitting a unique optical pulse at a target drone equipped with onboard photodiodes. The drone receives the signal, verifies its cryptographic signature, and replies with its own secure optical flash, confirming its identity through standard public-key cryptography. In addition, FAFOS can securely command friendly drones to land or return home using the same optical link.
Where traditional IFF systems rely on RF signaling technologies that are increasingly susceptible to jamming, spoofing, and detection in modern conflict zones, FAFOS is invisible to adversaries, unjammable, and operable in GPS- or comms-denied environments. With a low size, weight, and power design to ensure seamless integration across air, ground, and maritime platforms, FAFOS offers an affordable, scalable drone deconfliction solution for both military and commercial applications.
“We are delivering FAFOS at a time when the military and commercial sectors are grappling with a flood of unmanned systems from state and non-state actors,” said Mike Wior, co-founder and CEO, ACS. “The rapid identification of friend or foe in signal-contested environments and the potential for a catastrophic IFF failure is one of the most urgent and complex challenges we currently face. FAFOS enables secure identification at machine-speed, before friendly fire, a wasted interceptor, or a fatal mistake.”
ACS is building the next generation of autonomous systems to meet the demands of modern warfare. Its flagship product, Bullfrog, is an autonomous precision weapon station that enables any legacy or modern firearm to achieve precise engagements at any target and significantly increases the accuracy of existing battlefield systems.
As the drone threat continues to escalate in complexity and scale, ACS continues to develop innovative, deployable technologies to close urgent capability gaps for U.S. and allied forces. With Bullfrog redefining kinetic defeat and FAFOS revolutionizing drone deconfliction, ACS is building the connective tissue of tomorrow’s autonomous defense ecosystem.
About Allen Control Systems
Allen Control Systems (ACS) is a defense technology company that creates autonomous precision weapon systems to safeguard our military and partners, ensuring dominance on every battlefield. ACS is ushering in a new era of battlefield security, equipping U.S. and allied forces with the next generation of counter-drone technology. The company’s first product, Bullfrog, is a first-of-its-kind AI-powered robotic weapon station that enhances battlefield effectiveness by transforming legacy or modern weapon systems to achieve unmatched accuracy and impact. ACS is headquartered in Austin, Texas, with offices in Alexandria, Va. and Huntsville, Ala. For more information, please visit https://www.allencontrolsystems.com.
