4 ms·
That article is not entirely accurate and is based on a misunderstanding of what those contractors are doing. They're loading NATO MIDS/Link-16/IFF keys, not 's
by _djo_ 7y ago
That article is not entirely accurate and is based on a misunderstanding of what those contractors are doing. They're loading NATO MIDS/Link-16/IFF keys, not 'starting' the aircraft.
The Austrian Eurofighters can fly and operate without those keys, they just won't be able to join NATO Link-16 networks or other encrypted NATO communications or navigation networks. This is standard practice for all modern combat aircraft, incidentally, as encryption keys are rotated on a regular basis and need to be loaded into the aircraft's onboard systems before flight. The data can also include additional interoperability elements such as TDMA slice allocations in the case of Link-16.
The reason it has to be done by the unnamed contractor is because Austria is not a member of NATO, so it can't be given control over key handling. The same is true for Sweden & Switzerland.
It's a logical tradeoff. Austria, Sweden, and Switzerland get access to encrypted NATO networks and can therefore interoperate seamlessly with NATO forces, but they're always free to opt-out. Sweden for instance has fall-backs to national data links and communications networks to which only it has the encryption keys.
- platz 7y agoHow does one know so much detailed info about this topic?
- _djo_ 7y agoIn my case, it's the result of a research project I carried out a few years ago. While that went into somewhat deeper detail, the kind of information I've shared here is quite openly available from official and academic sources.
- platz 7y agoAh, makes sense, especially since you did a research project and reviewed the academic literature. FYI (other commenters) I wasn't doubting or implying access to secrecy. Just impressed at the depth of knowledge that appears with high fequency on HN here.
- HelloNurse 7y agoWhy would such information be particularly secret? Only secret keys are secret; knowing how to use them is a basic skill for all military pilots and a lot of other aviation personnel.
- ethbro 7y agoGenerally speaking, most NATO / military standards have some level of classification that prevents dissemination to a random member of the public. That said, for the non-sensitive stuff, there's usually access out there because someone's posted it or it's been discussed in a presentation. Reasons you would want such information controlled: if an adversary were to get in a shooting war with NATO, knowing the entire sequence required to launch fully operational aircraft makes interrupting that sequence much easier. Read background, dissect, probe, attack.
- dogma1138 7y agoIt’s not a secret, despite the MIL-STD-6016 doc technically being classified one of my favorite documents on the subject is the Wireshark dissector the Australian government wrote and then published the document of how they’ve achieved it including pretty much the entire protocol: http://willrobertson.id.au/resources/wireshark/DSTO-TN-1257.pdf http://willrobertson.id.au/resources/wireshark/DSTO-TN-1257....
- PappaPatat 7y agoWell thank you, very nice.
- billfruit 7y agoIt seems strange that Austria is not a member of NATO, the aftermath of WW2 has them sworn for 'prepetual neutrality'.
- z2 7y agoIsn't that the exact reason, as joining NATO would violate said neutrality? "Austria declared 'its permanent neutrality of its own accord.' The second section of this law stated that 'in all future times Austria will not join any military alliances and will not permit the establishment of any foreign military bases on her territory.'" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaration_of_Neutrality https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaration_of_Neutrality
- parsimo2010 7y agoJoining an alliance is pretty much the way to not be neutral. They signed a treaty in 1955 to end allied occupation, with the condition that they don't join any alliances. The intent was that this would prevent them from joining with the Soviets. Times have changed, but the treaty has not, so they are not allowed into NATO since it is an alliance. I'm sure if they really wanted to join all the former Alliance signatories (which are now part of NATO) would be willing to renegotiate the treaty and let them in.