American aerospace firm General Dynamics has been awarded a $229 million US Army contract to develop a device to manage and transfer cryptographic key material and mission planning data.
Awarded by the Army’s Program Executive Office Command, Control, and Communications–Tactical, the contract requires the company to design the Next Generation Load Device-Medium (NGLD-M) according to National Security Agency certification requirements.
The NGLD-M device will be used to transfer the strongest NSA-generated cryptographic keys to tactical, strategic, and enterprise network systems with the highest security classification.
The device must be able to receive key applications, materials, and other cryptographic products by connecting to US Department of Defense networks.
It must also have standard interfaces to audio fill ports, RJ45 ethernet ports, and a standard Universal Serial Bus.
The NGLD-M will replace the aging Simple Key Loader devices currently used by US government agencies and global partners.
‘Supporting Usability, Security’
General Dynamics Mission Systems president Chris Brady said that his team is proud to collaborate with the Army in developing a hand-held cryptographic key loader that ensures security and ease of use.
He remarked that the device will be designed to stand up to the rigors of a tactical environment.
Company cyber systems vice president Brian Morrison vowed to deliver an accelerated, low-risk, and sustainable NGLD-M solution that leverages the firm’s crypto, key management, and tactical computing expertise.
“It will be built from the ground up to support usability and security, with significant modularity to allow future upgrades,” Morrison remarked.