Tactical Communications Support Processor (TCSP)

The Tactical Communications Support Processor (TCSP) is a modified version of the CSP used by the intelligence community at unified, specified and major commands worldwide. The modifications included in TCSP focus on making the CSP system transportable and capable of interfacing with other tactical systems in the field, both today and tomorrow.

The U.S. Army has been a major proponent of the TCSP system and uses it in the All Source Analysis System (ASAS), GUARDRAIL, and Army Space Program Office (ASPO). Other customers are Canadian Electronic Warfare Control and Analysis Centre (EWCAC) and several non-disclosure programs. The U.S. Navy currently fields TCSP on the USS Coronado. The TCSP also supports joint operations such as the Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE).

The TCSP can interface to the DoDIIS AUTODIN Bypass System (DABS) to allow it to send and receive messages using legacy AUTODIN formats. To enhance security in the DABS environment, the TCSP has incorporated TCP/IP Triple-DES encryption to operate securely over the JWICS or SIPRNET networks. The TCSP has received multi-level security (MLS) accreditation by the Defense Intelligence Agency.

TCSP is a Defense Message System (DMS) architecture migration system for secure messaging. The DMS target architecture will provide a wide range of interoperable and secure writer-to-reader transactions. The target architecture is characterized by the application of the X.400 messaging and X.500 directory service standards and protocols. TCSP can provide legacy to DMS intercommunication using the CSP-to-DMS addressing component (CDAC). The CDAC facilitates interoperability through format translation between the AUTODIN and DMS formats. The TCSP, with CDAC, offers tactical operations the capability to support both legacy AUTODIN-format systems and new systems that will use DMS. When AUTODIN service is terminated, TCSP will still provide backside-legacy systems with a message capability to DMS.

Due to TCSP's built-in portability, it is both easy and cost-effective to run it on emerging hardware and operating systems. The scalability of the hardware configurations, and the flexibility of the TCSP software configurations, allow it to be used on a wide range of system sizes - anywhere from a low profile air/ground-transportable TCSP to a rack-mounted high-volume TCSP. The TCSP can be configured from a common suite of equipment to operate with a variety of radio, cryptos, and external interface connections.

Life-cycle support includes maintenance of a central TCSP baseline and help desk support to user sites. The central software-support capabilities include testing and integration of software maintenance changes to the installed baseline and enhanced software functionality as required by the user community. Also, experienced Northrop Grumman engineers can install TCSP, assist in accreditations, and provide training at new and existing sites.

The MLS TCSP - in combination with the Secure Messaging and Routing Terminal (SMART) - allows messages to be segregated by their classifications, and facilitates access to the JWICS and SIPRNET. Message traffic can be segregated from the Top Secret level to Collateral to allow a site to have complete capabilities for message classification and distribution.

Drawing of a TCSP Configuration

 

 

 

 

 

 

Message Handling

Software Security Provisions

Security/Accreditation/Certifications

Communications Protocols Supported

Complete Format Checking

Hardware/Operating System

Other Features