FiberPlex Products Squash Compromising Emanations on the Navy USS Nimitz Supercarrier

With the need for SATCOM serial data transmission equipment as part of its new CANES system, TEMPEST EMI/RFI Data Security was needed on the USS Nimitz.

Synopsis
With CANES Network upgrades for the USS Nimitz Supercarrier new C4I SATCOM communications needed to be secure according to TEMPEST EMI/RFI Data Security standards. The carrier's communications links needed to be isolated (or bit cleaned) from radiated data and noise occurring inside of the ship.

The Picture
The application drawing is Navy confidential. DOD and NATO customers may contact us for consultancy concerning TEMPEST or EMI/RFI data security requirements.
The Success
  • The Navy selected the FiberPlex EIA-530 fiber to ensure the carrier's communications links are isolated from radiated data and noise.
  • Patton's FiberPlex brand products are specially designed to suppress compromising emanations and deliver separation between BLACK and RED communications environments using TEMPEST tested and approved products.
  • The use of fiber and FiberPlex technology prevents classified or secure information from being transmitted off of the ship over wireless links.
  • FiberPlex products are used in conjunction with Services from Patton for the construct of Data Diodes solutions. Data diodes separate and create boundaries between trusted and untrusted networks and straddle the demarcation line between them. FiberPlex products can operate in transmit-only data diode configuration and are frequently used in Data Diode systems design.
  • The carrier's IT department, Automated Data Processing (ADP), put the new network infrastructure in service delivering operational security, efficiency and communication which includes approximately 1,300 new workstations used by sailors to conduct research and run operations.
The Story
The USS Nimitz (CVN-68) is a Nuclear-Powered Supercarrier of the US Navy and the lead ship of her class. Nimitz is now the oldest American aircraft carrier in active service.

The Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services program (CANES) is the Navy's next generation tactical afloat network. CANES represents the consolidation and enhancement of five shipboard legacy network programs to provide the common computing environment for more than 40 command, control, intelligence and logistics applications. The CANES program intends to consolidate and modernize shipboard, submarine and shore-based command C4I network systems to increase capability and affordability across the fleet.

With the need for SATCOM serial data transmission equipment as part of its new CANES system, TEMPEST EMI/RFI Data Security was required. The Navy selected the FiberPlex EIA-530 fiber to ensure the carrier's communications links are isolated from radiated data and noise occurring inside of the ship. The use of fiber and FiberPlex technology prevents classified or secure information from being transmitted off of the ship over wireless links.

The carrier's IT department, Automated Data Processing (ADP), put the new network infrastructure in service delivering operational security, efficiency and communication which includes approximately 1,300 new workstations used by sailors to conduct research and run operations.

Overall, the new CANES system consolidates information and offers secured network speed and Internet access for sailors on board, becoming the latest technology to exemplify Nimitz's motto: "Teamwork - A Tradition."