KY-68

The TSEC/KY-68 is a ruggedized telephone terminal with a built-in encryption/decryption module for secure traffic, designed for use in the field. It is a full-duplex voice and data interface terminal that converts voice to digital form, encrypts it and transmits at 16 or 32 kbit/s.

The KY-68 can operate via civilian and military switches. Although used primarily for secure communications, the KY-68 can operate with a Digital Non-secure Voice Terminal - a DNVT as its partner. The local switch provides the KY-68 user with a warning tone when communicating with a nonsecure terminal; however, the tone stops as soon as the DNVT user picks up the handset. For data communications, the KY-68 is equipped with a data port for encryption with various data devices. The key is inserted into the KY-68 using a KYK-13 keying device.

An office version, the KY-78, has the same interior electronics as the KY-68, but has an exterior casing composed of lighter materials. In other respects, it is identical.

The KY-68 and KY-78 are approved at the SECRET level, and despite the KY-78 being compromised in the early 1990s, both versions remain in use.Fact|date=December 2007

ee also

* KY-57
* KY-58

External links

* [http://www.jproc.ca/crypto/ky68.html Jerry Proc's page on the KY-68]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/11-43/c3u.htm The Signal Leader's Guide] — Field Manual 11-43