美国空军杂志4月1日报道

波音公司当日宣布，已向空军交付洲际弹道导弹发射密码的第一套加密改进装置，取代了过去由人到400个导弹警戒站进行密码更换的工作模式，提高了加密措施和安全性。按照常规要求，需要向各个发射阵地派遣小组进行密码更换，每次密码更换一般需要7天时间，而新改进的加密装置不用再向基地派遣人力，既节省了时间，可降低到几个小时，又减少了人力成本和资源。这项改进隶属空军“洲际弹道导弹加密改进Ⅱ”计划，每年可以减少基地开放频次达75天，提高了密码更换的安全性。该计划经费预算1.705亿美元，可持续至2023年，预计2024年第二季度实现全部作战能力。

Boeing Delivers Improved Security Systems for ICBM Launch Codes

April 1, 2021  AIR FORCE MAGAZINE| By Brian W. Everstine

Senior Airman Major Santiago, 90th Missile Maintenance Squadron team chief, reads through the technical order while Airman 1st Class Alex Medellin, 90th MMXS team member, sets up the safety control switch key inside the launch facility during code change in the 90th Missile Wing missile complex, June 20, 2017. The SCS key disables the missile from launching to allow the maintainers to work at the site safely. Code change ensures the safety, security, and effectiveness of America’s ICBM arsenal, which is the bedrock of nuclear deterrence. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Ruano.

Boeing announced April 1 it has delivered the first upgraded cryptography units to the Air Force to improve launch code security for the service’s intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The upgraded units improve encryption for the codes as well as security by eliminating the need for in-person code changes at the approximately 400 remote missile alert stations, Boeing said in a release.

“Currently, these routine code changes require a team to travel to each launch facility and each change can take upwards of seven days to complete,” said Ted Kerzie, director of Boeing’s Strategic Deterrence Systems, in the release. “This upgrade eliminates the need for travel and reduces the amount of staff, resources, and time needed down to just a few hours.”

The ICBM Cryptography Upgrade II “will increase security during code changes by reducing the frequency of open sites by 75 days annually while reducing associated labor costs,” according to USAF budget documents.

The Air Force has allocated $170.5 million for the program, with procurement expected to last through 2023 and full operational capability scheduled for the second quarter of 2024. It is an upgrade to the Data Transfer Unit system, which was installed in 2017  at ICBM sites, replacing legacy cartridge systems in the alert stations.