ROCHESTER, N.Y., April 27 (UPI) -- Harris Corp. announced it was picked to supply encryption for the U.S. Air Force's GEMS communication system.
The $4.3 million contract from Rockwell Collins calls for Harris' four-channel Sierra II encryption modules that will be incorporated into the ground element of the GEMS (Ground Element Minimum Essential Emergency Communications Network System).
The modules will encrypt both fixed and deployable communications for Air Force bombers, reconnaissance planes, air tankers and alert communications facilities.
The Sierra II is small enough to be embedded in a number of voice and data transmitters that require low-power or are battery operated.
The device is able to simultaneously process eight half-duplex encrypted data streams, a trait that allows a more efficient use of the U.S. military's critical and heavily used communications satellites.
The GEMS program is aimed at improving Air Force operational communications through updated Extremely High Frequency satellite communications with a redundant Very Low Frequency path for messages. Older communications methods considered obsolete will be eliminated.
Rockwell on Wednesday pegged the value of the GEMS program at about $350 million over six years.
