ViaSat to develop MIDS cryptographic module for US military

ViaSat has been awarded a contract for the design, development, and production of a cryptographic module (LCM) for the MIDS Low Volume Terminal (MIDS-LVT) Block Upgrade 2.

The contract has been awarded by the US Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR), in support of the Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) Program Office (MPO) (JPEOJTRS10).

Under the $34m firm fixed price contract, the company will develop, test and integrate a prototype PSIAM cryptographic module that is designed to be integrated into MIDS-LVT hardware variants.

The company will also deliver approximately 10,000 LCMs for upgrade of all MIDS-LVT hardware in service at the conclusion of the development, as part of the contract.

ViaSat Secure Network Systems Information Assurance Technology director Richard Quintana said the company will demonstrate the PSIAM cryptographic technology flexibility which is based on commercial off the shelf (COTS) components.

"That makes it easy and very cost effective to reconfigure for new applications," Quintana added.

Designed to provide secure, high capacity, jam resistant, digital data and voice communications, MIDS-LVT terminals are used by the US Navy, Marines Corps, Army, and foreign tactical aircraft, as well as for shipboard and ground-based air control personnel.