Harris Corporation wins US Navy contract for encryption device
Harris Corporation, an international communications and information technology company, has received a $5.9 million order from the US Navy for its KIK-11 Tactical Key Loader -- a new lightweight device that simplifies the process of loading classified key fill material into military radios and other end cryptographic units. The initial delivery order was placed against a recently signed $59.7 million indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract.
The Navy is acquiring the Tactical Key Loader (TKL) for use with current and future deployed tactical radios. The TKL is a rugged, easy-to-use, small-form factor, single-button programmable device that quickly loads encryption keys into radios in the field.
Encryption keys are a crucial aspect of information security in the delivery of assured communications to military personnel. The key converts a sender's "plain-text" messages into encrypted form, then decrypts them at the receiver's end so the messages can be read or heard.
"The KIK-11 is an important new device that will enable forces at the tactical edge to quickly and dynamically load encryption keys into their radios, or change them when the original keys have been compromised," said Brendan O'Connell, president, Department of Defense business, Harris RF Communications. "The KIK-11 is portable, lightweight and fast to power-on, providing military forces with faster, more reliable and more secure communications."
Harris' proven Sierra II ASIC is the cryptographic module in the KIK-11 TKL platform. The KIK-11 is a crypto-modernization compliant replacement for the legacy KYK-13 fill device. The KIK-11 supports all legacy and modern key fill interfaces and protocols, as well as a USB/RS-232 and works with existing and future KMI-compliant key distribution architectures. Harris is expecting NSA certification in early calendar year 2012 with product availability soon thereafter.
Source: Harris
More from Digital Battlespace
-
Push for greater use of open source data, says senior British officer
The huge amount of open source data available may not carry the weight of secret sources but it does carry substantial value, according to speakers at Defence IQ C4ISR Global conference in London.
-
Jacobs wins MoD cyber-security support contract
The deal with Jacobs will run until November 2027 and will see the company deliver a range of digital and IT specialist professional services to Defence Digital.
-
Norway to receive maritime surveillance satellite data from Kongsberg
Norway's Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace has announced that its subsidiary Kongsberg NanoAvionics will produce three satellites and launch them in 2025.
-
First South Korean 425 Project observation satellite launched
In 2015, South Korea named a consortium of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Hanwha Systems, along with Thales Alenia Space providing the SAR payload derived from its HE-R1000 product, as preferred bidder to develop new Korea 425 Project reconnaissance satellites.
-
German military introduces central command and new cyber branch
The German defence minister claimed the reforms would mean the 2025 military budget would require an additional €6.5 billion (US$7 billion).