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← UK Voice Saville BID/250 →
Wideband voide and data encryptor
- this page is a stub
BID/2510 is a family of software-defined
secure voice and data modules,
developed and built by
Ultra Electronics in Greenford
(UK).
The family of devices was introduced in July 2010
as a series of plug-in replacements for (now) obsolete
cryptographic solutions, such as the
BID/250/11 (Lamberton)
encryption/decryption device [3].
It is also known as the Common Core Crypto (C3).
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At the heart of the C3 systems is programmable
cryptographic core that is backward compatible with existing
encryption standards,
such as the highly secret
SAVILLE encryption algorithm
[1],
developed by GCHQ (UK)
and the NSA (USA).
Because C3 is software-defined, it can also be programmed
to support future interoperability standards, protocols and algorithms.
By building the C3 inside an Application Specific Enclosure
(ASE) it can be used as a drop-in replacement for existing crypto
modules that have recently become obsolete, such as the
BID/250/11.
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The image above was taken from the Ultra Electronics C3
brochure [4] and shows the basic C3 at the bottom left.
The unit immedately to its right is the BID/2510/16 drop-in replacement
for the now obsolete BID/250/11. It can be installed in the Digital
Master Unit (DMU) of a UK Clansman
VRC-353 radio station.
Clansman is now replaced by the new
Bowman communications system.
Development of the BID/2510 family started in 2009 or 2010 and
the products were redesigned a couple of times in order to meet
the requirements of the UK Ministry of Defence (UK MOD). This
led to the development of the improved BID/2510/16 module,
which was backward compatible with legacy equipment.
Finally, Ultra Electronics was awarded a GBP 76 million contract
by the UK MOD for the delivery of an unknown number of
BID/2510/16 modules, the first of which were installed on the
HMS St. Albans in 2014.
They passed all Naval Weapon Harbour Trials [3].
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The image below shows the BID/2510/16 module as it was released
in 2013 [5]. This is probably the version that was ordered in December 2014
by the UK Ministry of Defence (UK MOD) in large quantities
as a replacement for the obsolete BID/250/11
[3]. The image was taken from the brochure.
Unfortunately, we have no higher resolution of it at the moment.
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- C3
Universal programmable voice and data encryption/decryption module
with a small form-factor. It can be built inside a Application Specific
Enclosure (ASE) in order to serve as a drop-in replacement for existing
(obsolete) cryptographic modules. The C3 is fully IP-enabled
and requires the installation of a circular Crypto Ignition Key (CIK)
at the front.
- BID/2510/1
Early version of the replacement for the BID/250/11, developed in 2010.
This version had a slot for a flat plastic Crypto Ignition Key (CIK)
from Datakey at its
front panel and has since been superceeded by the BID/2510/16 (see below).
It is uncertain whether this version was ever taken into production.
- BID/2510/16
Drop-in replacement for the BID/250/11 voice and data encryption
module that was installed in the DMU of the VRC-353 radio, as part
of the UK Clansman radio system.
Clansman is currently being
replaced by the
Bowman integrated communications system.
- KG-40 AR
Drop-in replacement for the now obsolete
KG-40A
that is used by NATO
and Coalition Forces. The KG-40AR is approved by
CESG
and NATO and is
also used by the US Department of Defense (US DoD), making it the first
ever procurement of a Type 1 cryptographic device
by the US DoD from an offshore company.
It uses the BID/2200 crypto module.
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The first version of the universal C3 module
was the BID/2510/1, a candidate replacement for the (now obsolete)
BID/250/11 (Lamberton). It is shown in the
image below and features a slot for a Crypto Ignition Key (CIK),
a one-letter alphanumerical LED display, a mode selector
and an U-229 socket for a common key fill device.
It is uncertain whether this version was ever produced.
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© Crypto Museum. Created: Saturday 28 February 2015. Last changed: Thursday, 04 January 2024 - 09:12 CET.
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