Originally Posted by
Grenville Fortescue
Is it not possible to develop some form of biometric personnel recognition system activated perhaps by the aircraft's radar (or other device) which would return a 'non-hostile' "ping" and prevent such mistakes?
The short answer may well be yes. But a slightly longer answer is money.
While you can't place too high a price on human life and blue on blue does occur it does not occur that often. There are many other calls on essential and life-saving pieces of kit - fixing the Nimrod was one. An IFF that worked was another. Providing enough ballistic armour another.
As I would agree with SASLess, the Americans are in the frame more often than most as they provide the bulk of the equipment in recent conflicts thus they are more likely to be involved.