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Wanted item
The Aroflex is one of the most successful crypto machines
ever built by Philips Usfa. It was developed
between 1976 and 1982 and over 4500 units were produced.
It uses a built-in crypto module with a rather long key.
The machines were used by the Dutch government, the Dutch
Department of Defence, and the governments of some friendly
nations, such as Norway and Canada.
Aroflex is also known as UA-8116
and BID 1100.
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The device is based on a Siemens T-1000 telex machine,
with a crypto unit mounted to the bottom of it.
In the image on the right, the crypto unit is visible
as a low-profile black cabinet, with a red button and two
physical key locks: one for the INSERT key and one
for the SPECAT key.
This black and white photograph was used by Philips for promotional
purposes. More images below.
Whenever a message key was compromised, or when an army post was
raided by the enemy, the operator just had to press the
red button at the front of the crypto unit to flush the
keys and all stored messages.
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It was a highly automated encryption/decryption machine for
rapid, reliable and efficient off-line operation. It could also
be used as a stand-alone message tape preparation unit.
Some machines were equiped with appropriate interfaces to allow
them to be connected directly to the line.
The T-1000 could be operated at 50, 75 and 100 baud on-line.
When off-line, the unit always worked at 100 baud.
Aroflex is crypto compatible with NATO CEROFF equipment,
such as RACE
and Picoflex.
As such, it complies with the the symmetrical ACP 127
standard (Allied Communications Publication).
The plaintext was converted into 5-letter groups, with 10
groups on each line. The Aroflex could store upto 6 pages
(i.e. 120 lines of 10 crypto groups each) in its internal memory.
The machine is also known as the T-1000-CA, named after the
original model number of the terminal (Siemens T-1000) plus
the extension CA which stands for Cryptographical Application.
Aroflex can be seen in the Royal Dutch Signals Museum,
where some of the images on this page were taken.
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Aroflex can store upto 26 keys:
- 23 keys for 'ordinary' traffic.
- 2 SPECAT (Special Category) keys (see note below).
- 1 for encryption/decryption of the system indicators (i.e. the serial numbers of each key).
A new key is easily entered and takes the following steps:
- Place the INSERT-key in the leftmost lock and turn it clockwise.
- Enter the number of the required key store (address).
- Enter (from the key list) the serial number of the key, the keying variables and the check word.
- Remove the INSERT-key.
The two SPECAT keys can only be entered and/or used if the physical
SPECAT-key is entered in the rightmost lock and turned clockwise.
As an alternative to the above procedure, it was also possible to
enter the keys via a paper tape that was read by the built-in tape reader.
In addition, the crypto unit has a special connector through which
the keys can be entered using a 'key filler' or a 'key gun'.
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