Among the exercise's objectives are the development and verification of advanced technological concepts to limit so-called friendly fire – Blue On Blue. The same technology can also be applied in reverse, meaning in this case it is the aerial platform that queries assets on the ground. The query, which takes place selectively, can determine, for example, if friendly forces are present. This type of action also falls under the name ASID (Air to Surface IDentification). Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, the United States of America, and Sweden will participate in BQ-13.
The 2013 edition of BQ-13 sees the Ministry of Defence participating with a delegation comprising a contingent from the Italian Air Force (90 personnel), one from the Italian Army (seven personnel) and one from the Italian Navy (six personnel), as well as a C27J aircraft from the Experimental Flight Unit at Pratica di Mare, three Tornado aircraft from the 6th Wing at Ghedi,a Deployable Air Defence Radar (DADR), two VTLM Lince light tactical vehicles and three vehicles carrying the ground-based target designation system (JTAC kit). The redeployment of personnel and equipment involved the KC767A strategic transport aircraft from the 14th Wing at Pratica di Mare, which, through in-flight refuelling during the journey, enable the Tornado aircraft of the 6th Wing at Ghedi, engaged in the exercise, to make the transatlantic crossing. The KC767A was also deployed to transport Defence personnel and equipment involved in the exercise, confirming that the KC767A aircraft represents, for the Italian Armed Forces, the solution for providing a high degree of mobility to defence assets, which is necessary to fulfil the tasks undertaken by the country within the framework of coalitions and international scenarios. Ocean crossings by aircraft also involve close support from the C-130J aircraft of the 46th Air Brigade in Pisa, which were deployed as SAR (Search and Rescue) assets during the Italian fighter jets’ transoceanic flights. Given that the maximum survival time for a person in the open ocean is approximately 50 minutes, the support provided by the C130J – which follows the same route as the fighter aircraft – ensures that the scene of any incident can be reached more quickly and that the personnel involved can be assisted promptly. In summary, once the C-130J has located the person in distress, it prepares to deploy the SAR chain. The chain consists of a 200-metre rope, at the end of which is attached a self-inflating life raft, which will serve as a safe shelter for the shipwrecked person. The system is capable of deploying the chain with an accuracy of less than 14 metres.
