GPS receiver cryptography key delivery leveraging NSAs Key Management Infrastructure (KMI)

ABSTRACT: This SBIR project focuses on the migration from the Electronic Key Management System (EKMS) to the next generation Key Management Infrastructure (KMI) for management of GPS user equipment (UE) key material worldwide. EKMS has been fielded since the mid-1990s, and is reaching its end of life (EOL). KMI is initially intended to support cryptographic devices in the same manner as the current EKMS. KMI will ultimately evolve with additional capabilities such that new KMI-aware devices can be managed directly by KMI with little to no involvement by the user. By doing so, rekeying events and software updates for cryptographic devices will happen seamlessly worldwide without exposing the user or the keying material to the dangerous last-mile operational environment. What new features does KMI bring to the user to support GPS UE key management What new features can GPS UE implement to take full advantage of KMI What new requirements could be provided to NSAs KMI Program Management Office (PMO) to improve GPS UE key management How do the different form factors of GPS UE impact the methods to deliver keys from KMI These are the questions that our Phase I SBIR will accomplish. BENEFIT: The results of our Phase I effort will be a documented analysis of KMI features to determine how current U.S. military and friendly international military GPS UE can be supported by the spiral evolution of KMI. Using that analysis, FMS will generate operational use scenarios that will demonstrate to the warfighter the benefits of the EKMS-to-KMI transition as well as the level of risk to successful operation that the transition may incur. Knowing that current GPS UE is supported by KMI and understanding the operational use cases for how to take advantage of KMI features form the foundation for the Phase II effort. Phase II will then focus on defining the technical requirements and operational use cases for modernized and new GPS UE that can take full advantage of KMI to enable direct UE keying. Additionally, Phase II will develop technical documents detailing a method to deliver key material that could work with unmodified, modernized GPS UE devices. The potential market for KMI-aware GPS UE is enormous! The number of friendly international partners using GPS UE requiring key material is significant. And the applications of GPS UE, such as hand-held navigation devices, ground and airborne vehicle navigation devices, ground and air launched weapons, and radios, means there are easily hundreds of thousands of GPS UE that would benefit from direct keying from KMI.