ViaSat Selected by General Dynamics United Kingdom Ltd. To Protect Sensitive Mission Data and Intelligence on Scout SV

ViaSat Inc. (Nasdaq:VSAT) has been selected by General Dynamics UK Ltd. to design and develop the on-board encrypted data storage systems for the Scout Specialist Vehicles (SV), scheduled to begin trials with the British Army in January 2013. The ViaSat systems will ensure that mission and communications system data is fully protected, meaning that the ground-based ISTAR platform can securely capture, analyse, store, and share over 6 terabytes of intelligence data.

"Data is the most important weapon of the 21st century battlefield," said Chris McIntosh, CEO of ViaSat UK. "Given Scout’s role as an ISTAR platform, being able to guarantee that sensitive mission and communications data is not at risk in the event of loss or capture is essential. By combining our UK government-accredited hardware encryption technology with experience gained in other highly successful air and ground vehicle projects we can help provide peace of mind for those using the Scout SV that their data is not at risk."

ViaSat has developed the only hardware based data encryption technology that is CAPS approved by CESG, the accreditation arm of the UK government, for the protection of Top Secret data at rest [1]. By customising this technology it can provide a system suited to the needs of the Scout SV. To help ensure the long-term viability of the platform, the Specialist Vehicle Encryption and Purge Solution will be modular, able to be switched out as needed, and can be upgraded together with the Scout SV open, scalable electronic architecture.

The system also includes purge controls to delete data encryption keys, making data irrecoverable in the event of enemy capture without having to expend extra time and resources on its destruction. The storage system has been designed to form the basis of future Scout SV variants and other vehicle programmes, thus reducing the requirement and risks for UK development expenditure.

"The UK armed forces are facing an ongoing challenge: reducing costs while also ensuring they have the capability and security they need," continued McIntosh. "Platforms such as Scout SV will form an important part of meeting this challenge by allowing continuous upgrades over the system lifespan."