US Air Force Seeks Encryption Devices to Secure Field Operations

• The US Air Force released an RFP for the development and production of “mini crypto” devices that meet both NSA approval and Size, Weight, and Power constraints in line with combat use. They intend to handle unclassified and Secret data, for devices that may be lost during operations that may be conducted with other services and allied countries.

• This follows an industry day that took place in September last year. Mini Crypto is meant to be a multi-platform solution to shortfalls identified in the past, such as the interception by insurgents of UAV video feeds. Back during the industry day, the Air Force sized their need at 10,000 devices for around $1K apiece, and the RFP’s upper range indeed asks for quotes for 10,000 or more devices.

Ravens, Mini-UAVs Winning Gold in Afghanistan’s “Commando Olympics”

RQ-11: higher, faster…

In 2005 the RQ-11 Raven mini-UAV was enjoying positive field reports from Iraq. In November 2005, StrategyPage reported that the RQ-11 Raven was also turning heads in what it calls “the commando Olympics” of Afghanistan:

“In addition to all the cooperation, there’s also a lot comparing notes. One thing everyone has noted is the large number of useful gadgets American Special Forces troops have. The most envied item is the American Raven UAV.”

It’s an apt phrase. This Spotlight article looks at Special Forces related mini-UAV buys from a number of countries, spurred by requests from special operations troops in theater.