|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bulk USA WALBURN NSA
High-speed Trunk Encryption Device · TED
- wanted item
KG-81 was a high-speed Trunk Encryption Device
(TED), also known as a
Bulk Encryption Device, developed by the American
National Security Agency (NSA), probably in the late 1970s.
It uses the WALBURN cryptographic algorithm,
and is primarily intended for the encryption of microwave trunks,
high-speed landline circuits, video teleconferencing, T-1 satellite channels,
etc. [1].
|
Like the other members of the WALBURN family,
the KG-81 was certified
to encrypt and decrypt messages up to the level of TOP SECRET.
The device itself is an UNCLASSIFIED controlled cryptographic item (CCI)
as long as it is unkeyed. When keyed, it assumes the classification
level of the key in use. All members of the WALBURN family are
suitable for simplex and full-duplex traffic, and are fully interoperable.
The image on the right shows the front panel of a KG-81 [2].
The front panel measures 145 x 155 mm and the unit is 470 mm deep.
Typically, two KG-81 units were mounted side-by-side in a special
19" rackmount adapter unit.
|
|
|
Cryptographic keys, or crypto variables as they are called in
NSA language, are loaded into the device by means of a standard
key transfer device, or key-filler,
such as the KYK-13.
The key-filler is connected to the 5-pin U-229
connector at the font panel, marked FILL. Once connected, the
MODE-switch at the top left is set to LOAD and the ACTIVATE button
is pressed.
The KG-81 was capable of encrypting and decrypting data at a maximum
speed of 20 Mbps, which was extremely fast at the time.
In the late 1980s, the KG-81 was replaced by the much faster
KG-95 that ran at 50 Mbps
[1].
None of the WALBURN family members are in production
anymore and they have all been replaced by the backward compatible
and interoperable KIV-19.
|
|
In Europe, KG-81 units were built by
Philips Usfa, under licence
of the NSA,
from 1982 onwards.
Over the years, Philips produced
hundreds of KG-81 units, suitable 19" racks and interfaces for NATO.
This was the result of a NATO evaluation,
codenamed HISPEED,
a few years earlier,
in which Philips dropped its
SATCOLEX product
in return for co-production of the KG-81.
|
The image on the right shows an original black & white
photograph that was made at Philips Usfa in the early 1980s [3].
It shows part of a 19" rack, with two KG-81 units mounted in
a single frame. Below the encryption units is a Philips-designed
line interface for connection to the teleprinter network (telex).
➤ More about Philips HISPEED
|
|
|
|
|
|
Any links shown in red are currently unavailable.
If you like the information on this website, why not make a donation?
© Crypto Museum. Created: Tuesday 04 December 2012. Last changed: Wednesday, 24 August 2022 - 20:20 CET.
|
 |
|
|
|
