General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) aims to help the U.S. Army design and develop a cryptographic key loader through a multiple-award contract with an initial value of $229 million.
The company said Monday its mission systems business holds a position on the service branch’s indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to build the Next Generation Load Device-Medium for military personnel to transfer and manage mission planning data and cryptographic key material.
NGLD-M is intended to succeed legacy Simple Key Loaders and transfer National Security Agency-generated cryptographic keys to enterprise, strategic and tactical network systems that operate up to the highest security classification level.
The Army plans to buy as many as 265,000 new fill devices over a 10-year period under the IDIQ contract.
“Our device will be designed with the mobile Soldier in mind to ensure security and ease of use, while standing up to the rigors of a tactical environment,” said Chris Brady, president of General Dynamics Mission Systems and a 2022 Wash100 awardee.
Brian Morrison, vice president for the cyber systems business line at GDMS, said the company will develop its NGLD-M offering with usability, security and modularity in mind.