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KG-81 (WALBURN)
HISPEED was the codename of a NATO evaluation in the mid-1970s, for a hi-speed
Trunk Encryption Device (TED).
Philips Usfa contributed to this project by developing
the so-called SATCOLEX crypto device; an 8 Mb/s line encryptor for multiplexed
voice and data signals.
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Development took from 1975 to 1977, but SATCOLEX was withdrawn right before
the actual evaluation, in return for co-production (for the European market)
of the winning device: the American WALBURN (KG-81) [2].
Philips would build the complete 19" racks with KG-81 units for the entire
European market. Several modifications were made especially for NICSMA.
They also received further orders for the design of suitable
interfaces for the device. Development of the additional units lasted from 1979 to 1982, after which production started.
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The HISPEED project marked the beginning of a long relationship with the
American NSA.
By the end of 1982, over 95 complete systems were delivered to NATO.
Each system consisted of a number of 19" racks, each with several KG-81
units and peripheral devices. The image above shows a detail of such a
19" rack. Unfortunately, no better quality photographs are available to us
at this time. Some more photographs of the WALBURN racks below [1].
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KG-81 was compatible with the later Philips BVO-T,
that was developed for the Dutch ZODIAC
tactical communications system. It allowed the EUROCOM-compatible ZODIAC
to communicate with NATO data trunks running over KG-81 units.
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Below are some acronyms and abbreviation used on this page. For further
acronyms and keywords, please check the
global crypto glossary.
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NATO
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North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(Wikipedia)
(Website)
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NICSMA
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NATO Integrated Communications Systems Management Agency
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- Philips Usfa, WALBURN archive photographs
Crypto Museum Photo Archive #301324.
- Philips Usfa, Internal Memo L/5636/AvdP/JG
23 August 1982, page 5.
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© Copyright 2009-2012, Paul Reuvers & Marc Simons. Last changed: Mon,14 May 2012.09:40:58
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