Securing the classified data stored, generated, and/or collected by unmanned systems is an especially challenging task given the simple fact that these systems have a high potential of ending up in the hands of adversaries. There have been a number of advancements in recent years such as remote and autonomous zeroization techniques. In 2020 General Dynamics released the first Type 1 Data at Rest (D@R) encryptor certified by NSA for Top-Secret and below data in unmanned operations. While these latest generations of devices are appropriate for use on large unmanned systems, their size, weight, and power (SWaP) make them unsuitable for use on small unmanned vehicles. To address this technology gap Toyon is proposing a standards-based solution that incorporates recent OEM NSA Type 1 encryption solutions housed in a conductively cooled, ruggedized enclosure with QUADRANT (anti-tamper) and TEMPEST protection features. In Phase I Toyon plans to evaluate various VPX and/or VNX architectures along with potential D@R and DiT encryption solutions capable of achieving NSA Type 1 certification requirements for unmanned operation. Findings will be used to develop a detailed system architecture and Phase II development plan and schedule.
Benefit: Small unmanned vehicles are significantly easier and cheaper to deploy and maintain than their larger counterparts. Toyons proposed Security Data Module (SDM) represents an enabling technology for DoD operated small unmanned vehicles. By allowing classified Top Secret and Below data to be stored on small, light-weight vehicles they can be used to perform many of the same tasks typically reserved by larger vehicles with reduced logistical and operational costs. While the initial target platform will be unmanned surface and underwater vehicles (USV/UUV) in support of naval applications such as intelligence gathering and mine-hunting, the SDM can be used in any autonomous vehicle that requires an extremely low SWaP Data at Rest (D@R)solution including air, ground, and sea. In addition, by offering a non-NSA certified version the SDM can be made accessible to the much broader commercial market including underwater infrastructure construction/inspection in the offshore oil and gas industries, and government and academic research.
Keywords: Unmanned Systems, Unmanned Systems, Cryptography, ruggedized, encryption, NSA, COTS, Anti-Tamper, VPX
