Harris inks NSA secure wireless deal

Aimed at building wireless networks with top-secret security, a contract awarded to Harris Corp. by the National Security Agency enables the company to supply its secure wireless product to federal agencies and other approved customers.

The five-year, $41.6 million contract was awarded to Harris for its new SecNet 54 Secure Wireless Local Area Network product. SecNet 54 can be used in secure communications applications up to Top Secret/SCI Level Data. It can operate with an Inline Network Encryptor using a pre-placed symmetric key.

The new product is designed for Defense Department, federal and international customers, and is an enabling technology for several programs such as the Army's Warfighter Information Network-Tactical, Command Post Platform and Joint Network Node programs.

SecNet 54, in its 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g configurations, is a SWLAN (Type 1 encryption) solution for data, video and voice over IP requirements. It features operating line-of-sight ranges of up to 100 meters indoors and up to 600 meters outdoors.

NSA's crypto-modernization initiative seeks to upgrade the security infrastructure of the agency's communications architectures to meet present and future security needs.

Harris of Melbourne, Fla. has more than 13,000 employees and annual sales of more than $3 billion. The company ranks No. 23 on Washington Technology's 2005 Top 100 list of federal prime contractors.