SBIR/STTR Research Award

KMI-aware Mesh Network NSA Certifiable Cryptographic Solution

Award identifier ba2c58b71b19e79b8e4264d60e4f52400bb56dc8c61927dd5dd7899ce9f56738Awarding agency Department of Defense · Space Development Agency

Award amount

$249,999

Program and phase

STTR · Phase I

Award year

2021

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Award details

Awarding agency
Department of Defense
Branch
Space Development Agency
Recipient company
Arkham Technology Limited
Proposal award date
2021-08-25
Contract end date
2022-08-30
UEI
GMX7SEX5HER9
Solicitation number
HQ085021S0001.D
Topic code
HQ085021S0001-06

Research abstract

With incoming hypersonic and ballistic threats, the Optical Intersatellite Link (OISL) system must transfer large quantities of data in real-time across a mesh network of satellite crosslinks, and back-and-forth with the ground. Very high-speed, low-latency, mesh network encryptors are available on the ground; however, no interoperable National Security Agency (NSA) certified devices currently exist for space. OISL needs a flexible and autonomous encryptor supporting up to six 50 Gigabit channels, which is interoperable with these terrestrial network encryptors. We have assembled a team with the right set of capabilities to successfully develop, and certify with NSA, a space-qualified cryptographic solution for OISL. Our team are experts in designing innovative, cutting-edge systems that operate in the austere Low Earth Orbit (LEO) environment.  We also bring extensive subject matter expertise designing, developing, embedding, and certifying with NSA high-assurance encryptors, including high-speed mesh-network network, MILSATCOM mission data, and Telemetry, Tracking, and Control (TT&C) encryptors.  Furthermore, our team will recapitalize Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) technology in autonomous Key Management Infrastructure (KMI) Over-the-Network Keying (OTNK) developed with Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate (AFRL/RV) and the Space and Missile Center (SMC). Our Phase I approach is to collaborate with SDA, and other subject matter experts, in researching secure mesh network topologies and cryptographic use-cases for OISL. We will also plan, analyze, and describe our Phase II design, as well as perform initial risk-reduction demonstrations and plan for NSA certification.  We will therefore quickly converge on a viable LEO mesh-network encryptor based on our team's NSA-evaluated TRL 9 cryptologic, smoothly certify the implementation with NSA, and transition it into manufacturing with rigorous supply-chain security.

Technology keywords

Not reported

Other awards by this recipient

Verified by the same UEI. These are other public SBIR/STTR award pages, not a merged company record.

Awards with the same topic code

Verified by an exact topic code match. This is not a text-similarity match.

Research funding history

14 SBIR/STTR records share this UEI (2011–2025). Reported award amounts total $16,143,208. Reported amounts are not federal obligations.

Phases: Phase I, Phase II – Direct to Phase II, Phase II

Agencies: Department of Defense

Agency intelligence

Department of Defense

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