Midair Warning

Couple of points. As Kirk pointed out, and he is correct, IFF interrogators in fighters do not provide altitude information, only bearing and range. This system is also manual and needs to be activated to interrogate.

The military follows the rules more than many might think or want to believe. The only times they do not is when their TO's (POH) states the speed requirements, and they have a waiver. Also as mentioned, speed limits do not apply when they operate within the confines of MOAs, restricted airspace, warning areas or MTR routes. However, fighters must schedule MTR routes, and local FSSs are aware of the scheduled use of these routes.

As to ADS-B, working in DoD Acquisitions, I can tell you the USAF is trying to comply with this new requirement for all aircraft. However, an FAA mandate does not provide any funding, just like it doesn't for you either if they mandate transponder use for gliders. Trying to fund solutions for the military community is very problematic in the current budget environment, but the goal is to make it happen, it will just take a lot longer in the current budget climate if the military wants to keep its eroding capabilities over providing warnings to civilians while flying in the US for training missions.

FWIW, Garmin just announced the GPS-20A, a TABS-compliant non-certified ADS-B WAAS position source for $845 ($1225 with antenna and install kit). Whether or not we end up up having to deal with the ADS-B mandate, we really should be pushing the FAA hard to allow TABS equipment to be installed in certified gliders.

Marc