Secure Communication in the Armed Forces
03 December 2008
Today, radio communications take place over an extremely wide frequency range. Many different transmission ranges, operating modes and bandwidths are available. In many civilian and military organisations, these options are used in parallel. It is therefore vital that the encryption is standardised and can guarantee compatibility between the different applications.
MultiCom radio encryption: the universal encryption platform
Crypto offers a universal solution, which provides compatibility and simplifies operation. MultiCom radio encryption can be used for virtually all frequency ranges (HF, VHF, UHF, SatCom) and operating modes (narrowband / wideband digital voice encryption, data encryption, secure messaging, IP VPN). It is suitable for both single channel applications (mobile, desktop), as well as for integration in multi-channel command and control systems. The system is extremely robust and can be used it in vehicles, tanks, coastal and ocean-going ships, aircraft and helicopters.
The “multi” of the HC-2650 MultiCom covers many aspects: multi-radio means that all known radio units can be connected; multi-band means encryption over all frequency bands used, multi-application covers voice (in various modes for HF and V/UHF), data (with integrated or external modem), messaging and IP/VPN.
The unit automatically detects voice or data communication, which means that the same radio channel can be used for both voice and data, without requiring intervention from the operator. Multi-algo means that several algorithms can be used, a requirement for multinational manoeuvres (the national algorithm and also the allied algorithm).
Successful use in practice
The MultiCom HC-2650 has proved itself in various installations, in differing interface connections and in extensive operations – including in multinational scenarios. This shows that the unit is able to cover the required and promised range in various ways. The MultiCom HC-2650 can be connected to different newer radios and also with frequency hopping, thus rendering the most advanced radio devices highly secure and maintaining top quality voice – better than with a built-in coder.
All these connections were made for both voice and data, in fact for narrow band on the one hand (HF and V/UHF) and broadband on the other (V/UHF), with analogue as well as digital interfaces. It was successfully demonstrated that digital voice communication via VINSON compatible interfaces is possible. When exchanging data, the MultiCom HC-2650 operates both for data flows – for example sensor data – as well as for messaging using various (military) messaging systems (for example SAMMS, HF Messenger, Postman) in broadcast, and also in peer-to-peer mode.
The MultiCom radio encryption unit HC-2650 is used nowadays both in strategic command networks for communication between headquarters and the operational units, as well as for communication on an operational level.
Compatible with Crypto IP platforms
User requirements change and so encryption units have to adapt accordingly. These changes include the fact that air combat forces, like other armed forces on land and sea, increasingly use internet protocol (IP) for their communications. In line with this, the HC-2650 MultiCom radio encryption unit has been expanded to include the IP/VPN application.
Communications can be carried out securely in a protected VPN tunnel. The MultiCom platform is fully compatible with the other IP platforms from Crypto, which – depending on requirements – are available with different bandwidths: 100Mbps (for example, for headquarters), 20Mbps (for example, for a base) and 10Mbps for a desktop device for an individual (for example, a senior officer), as well as the portable crypto mobile client. All applications, including the traditional applications for voice and data, as well as the IP VPN application, can be installed in parallel, with just one active at any given time, as it is necessary to switch between the interfaces.
