Developing a Strategy for interoperable Coalition CommuniCationS

feature article
Developing
a Strategy for
Interoperable
Coalition
Communications
»
New encryption technology
simplifies security while
improving logistics and
operational planning
Increasingly, the world’s militaries are deploying teams that cross both
borders and disciplines in support of a wide range of missions. Such is the
case in Afghanistan with the NATO-led International Security Assistance
Force (ISAF), which consists of military personnel from more than
40 countries.
Imagine the demands and communication challenges faced by such
coalition forces as they jointly work to establish safety and security.
Without secure communications at the platoon or company level that
allow them to talk across nationality and platform, forces are limited in
operational effectiveness and face a higher risk of fratricide.
The fact is that communication suites vary significantly from nation
to nation, and there are significant differences in the technology that
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each nation employs—thereby
leading NATO to demonstrate the
need for standardization in areas such
as waveforms.
The availability of universal
cryptographic equipment is the biggest
technical obstacle. While it is common
to find NATO-approved Type-1
equipment on the battlefield, there
is a need for a new class of scalable,
coalition-releasable, cryptographic
equipment. The goal: To make it easier
for U.S., NATO, and coalition partners
to communicate on the battlefield.
Enter Suite B
A new set of commercial
cryptographic algorithms known as
Suite B offers military communicators
a simpler, more effective yet still secure
path to interoperability across a broad
range of operating environments,
including classified High-Grade/Top
Secret or Coalition/Sensitive But
Unclassified (SBU) applications. Suite B
covers specifications and functions such
as encryption, digital signature, key
exchange, and hashing.
Collaborating with the National
Security Agency, Harris Corporation
has produced the first radio with
Suite B algorithms—the Falcon III®
RF-310M-HH Suite B Compatible
Multiband Handheld Radio. The
RF-310M utilizes this new encryption
technology to make it easier for U.S.
forces and coalition partners to
communicate on the battlefield,
resulting in improved coordination,
easier mission planning, and reduced
instances of friendly fire.
The RF-310M is a multiband,
multi-mission, software-defined Suite B
radio certified by the NSA to transmit
voice and data up to the U.S. SECRET
level. It delivers the advantages of
encrypted waveform interoperability
without the handling rules and
regulations governing controlled
cryptographic items (CCI). (A CCI radio
or device may be unclassified but is
subject to special accounting controls
and markings. For example, active duty
observers must accompany any CCI
device into coalition operations; the
RF-310M, as a non-CCI item, would
not face the same requirement.)
Mission interoperability
Depending on the mission profile,
warfighters may require NATO Secret,
NATO Restricted, and/or Mission
Secret data. As a non-CCI Suite B
communication device, the Harris
RF-310M-HH can provide secure
interoperability using a common
key management system. Coalition
interoperability occurs through the use
of this common key material, as well as
a standard VHF/UHF Line-of-Sight
waveform using the Suite B Advanced
Encryption Standards (AES) algorithm.
The end result: the RF-310M may be
easily exported to NATO nations for
their own sovereign use with national
key management systems, but can easily
be updated to support coalition operations.
“The RF-310M-HH meets the
varying communication needs of the
U.S. government, NATO, and coalition
forces and provides an easy, costeffective
way to transform the ad hoc
nature of communications among
coalition partners in conflicts such
as in the war in Afghanistan,” said
Todd Moore, director, secure products
for Harris RF Communications. “Suite B
technology is poised to help nations
around the world cross communication
borders and securely interoperate
through the coalition.”
Cryptographic functions
Because Suite B is based on
commercially available technology, the
dependency on foreign governments for
the evaluation, monitoring, control, and
release of communications equipment
is diminished. Programmable
communication products such as radios
and inline network encryptors (INE)
may also be endorsed for multinational
or coalition operational use by providing
verification evidence on these standards
through the NSA or other commercial
certification processes.
Another important aspect for any
interoperable coalition is the definition
of a common key that can be used by
all parties. The Suite B public key
management approach builds on existing
standards—including certificate
management and key registration—
that are also currently used by several
commercial organizations such as banks.
This approach increases the number of
available organizations, including Harris,
that can produce trusted key sources.
Remote command and control and
over-the-network key de-registration are
essential elements of Suite B. Both enable
a coalition tactical communications network to be formed quickly
and exchange the appropriate key material. The latter mechanism,
in particular, allows a unit to be removed from a coalition
network seamlessly without impacting day-to-day operations.
High-grade interoperability standards
The NSA has defined three high-grade scalable interoperability
standards to date: High Assurance Internet Protocol Encryptor
(HAIPE); Link Encryption Family (LEF); and Secure
Communications Interoperability Protocol (SCIP).
The interoperability goal set forth by the NSA is to produce
worldwide products—like the Harris RF-310M-HH radio—that
could support these standards in these specific implementations.
The latest revisions of each contain a Suite B-only version, which
can be used in coalition interoperability applications with the
appropriate implementation, review, and approval. While the
three interoperability standards define the interoperability
protocol, Suite B technology provides greater access to coalition
forces to actually achieve it.
Sample operational scenarios
Multinational (NATO and non-NATO) forces operating in
NATO mission areas that require interoperable secure tactical
communications can benefit from a Suite B solution. For example,
infantry platoons/sections from different nations operating
together in search operations in Afghan villages need secure
communications at the platoon/company level or they are limited
in effectiveness. Similarly, Forward Area Controllers (FACs)
requesting support from NATO/U.S. aircraft currently require
use of CCI Type 1 radios.
The current NATO security requirements are difficult to apply
to “coalition of the day” operations because of the different levels
involved. A non-CCI Suite B communication device would provide
secure interoperability using a common key management system.
Because the RF-310M is software defined, its programmability
would allow for implementing advanced features such as
detection of malicious software.
These product solutions can easily provide secure communications
solutions for the U.S. military and find application in a broad set
of solutions providing interoperability to municipal homeland
security, border patrols, and other first responders.
Ultimately, the delivery of a single communication device that
serves multiple mission purposes reduces the logistical burden and
cost of maintaining multiple pieces of communication equipment
and facilitates ease-of-use and coalition interoperability—all
while providing an effective secure communications environment
for a global partnership. •
Harris Produces
First NSA-Certified
Suite B Radio
Military forces engaged in coalition warfighting can now
deploy new Suite B encryption technology to the battlefield
with a new radio from Harris Corporation.
The Harris Falcon III® RF-310M-HH, introduced in the
summer of 2009, is the first Type-1 Suite B compatible
radio to be certified by the National Security Agency.
The RF-310M-HH is secured with Suite B compatible
cryptography and key management techniques,
incorporating Harris Sierra IIB programmable encryption.
The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and keying
standards are used to handle voice and data traffic at the
U.S. Secret level and below. Suite B cryptography provides
a common set of cryptographic algorithms to meet the
varying communications needs of U.S. government, NATO,
and coalition forces through locally generated, independent
sovereign key management. The radio features the same
JTRS Software Communications Architecture (SCA)
operating environment as the JTRS-Approved Falcon III
AN/PRC-152 handheld radio.
In addition to military use, the RF-310M is also ideal for
homeland security operations. The radio supports secure
communications that bridge the gap between U.S DoD
agencies, emergency first responders, and state and local
agency personnel.
Covering the 30 to 512 MHz frequency range, the
RF-310M-HH provides selectable RF output up to 5 watts.
Current waveform support includes VHF/UHF AM and FM
and APCO P25, with future upgrades to
include SCIP (AES) NATO STANAG and the
Quicklook VHF/UHF ECCM waveform.
Key Features of the 310M-HH
• Non-CCI device
• SCA v2.2 compliant
• Sierra IIB programmable crypto
• Built-in speaker/mic
• Full numeric keypad
• NVG compatible display
• Embedded GPS (optional)
• MELP
• Wireless cloning
• Long-life internal Hold-up Battery
(HUB)
• Supports multiple mission plans
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