By March 2024, two more Cryptocomputers qualified for flight tests are expected to be delivered
Air Force Agency – DCTA, by Major Reis
In August, the Aeronautics and Space Institute (IAE) and the Aeronautics Computing Center of São José dos Campos (CCA-SJ), under the Department of Aerospace Science and Technology (DCTA) and the General Support Command (COMGAP), respectively, delivered the CM4-B Cryptocomputer to the Swedish company Saab, manufacturer of the F-39 Gripen aircraft.
The device is a high-tech and strategic piece of equipment for Brazil’s defense and is part of Phase 2 of the Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Mode 4 National Project (IFFM4BR) and marks the beginning of the integration between the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) and the 100% Brazilian company Kryptus EED, which collaborated in the development of the device. “The delivery of the Cryptocomputer is an important milestone for the project and represents another step by Brazil towards achieving national sovereignty in IFF secure military communication systems technologies,” said IAE Director, Air Brigadier Frederico Casarino.
The creation of the Cryptocomputer (CM4-B) represents, internationally, that the FAB has reached the technological level for the integration and ground testing of the National Mode 4 IFF System. In this context, the Head of CCA-SJ, Colonel Josemir Ribeiro Lima, highlighted the importance of IAE in the project. “The Institute’s participation was a great opportunity and the team is honored to take part in something of this magnitude and of such relevance, to contribute to national defense,” concluded the Senior Officer.
As well as handing over the equipment, the Director of IAE, the Head of CCA-SJ and their technical teams also visited the Gripen Design and Development Network (GDDN) laboratory, where the Cryptocomputer integration will begin. By March 2024, two more Cryptocomputers qualified for flight tests are expected to be delivered.
How will the Cryptocomputer (CM4-B) be used?
It will be connected to transponder equipment (used to receive, amplify and retransmit a signal on a different frequency) and interrogators located in aircraft, vessels, land platforms and radars, enabling the interrogator to transmit encrypted challenges to a possible target, provided that their transponder is also equipped with a CM4-B, i.e. it needs to contain the same cryptographic key as the Cryptocomputer that the interrogator has. This way, the transponder will respond correctly to the challenges and the target will be classified as a friend [Click here to download the original image].
Understanding the IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) Mode 4 National Project
IFFM4BR aims at the secure electronic remote classification of military platforms (aircraft, vessels and vehicles) within the Brazilian Aerospace Defense System (SISDABRA). Its use aspires to situational awareness (tactical map), identifying these platforms in combat and providing the necessary support for the rules of engagement, which allows the safe use of missiles beyond visual range (BVR), thus avoiding fratricide and the violation of the system by adversaries.
The main advantage of the IFF system is its interoperability. The CM4-B cryptocomputer can be used on different sea, land and air platforms, through its integration with transponders and interrogators on each platform, allowing for fast and secure combat classification between vectors. This system also includes a suite of applications responsible for generating, protecting and distributing cryptographic keys to all cryptocomputers. The development of these applications is essential for the security of the system and is the responsibility of CCA-SJ.
Photos: Aspirant Rebeka Falcão / IAE and Saab team