Airbus Defence and Space wins cryptographic key management system for RAF A400M airlifters
September 2015 by Emmanuelle Lamandé
Airbus Defence and Space announced that it has won a contract from the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) to equip one of the world’s most iconic military aircraft with cryptographic key management technology.
The Cryptographic Key Management solution will be supplied to the A400M military transport aircraft programme to provide the highest protection for encrypted data and prevent data compromise that could threaten the safety and security of an aircraft’s mission
Developed by cyber experts from Airbus Defence and Space at Newport in the UK, the world-beating technology eliminates the need for crypto equipment aboard an airborne platform to be individually re-keyed before every mission. It provides increased flexibility and permits prolonged out-of-area operation.
The initial development contract for the A400M, worth £3.3 million, will see Airbus Defence and Space, design, develop, manufacture, accredit and deliver the A400M Local Crypto Key Management System, in the initial 15 month development phase; with an additional range of options to extend the support, and provide Post Design Services up until 2020.