WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Northrop Grumman will upgrade and strengthen crytographic algorithms used to protect intercontinental ballistic missiles under a contract worth more than $16 million, the US Defense Department said in a press release.
"Northrop Grumman, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, has been awarded a $16,829,971 to previously awarded intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) prime integration contract for ICBM cryptography upgrade," the release said on Wednesday.
The upgrade includes changes to the remote keys and codes, according to published Defense Dept. documentation. Launch and enable codes undergo irreversible changes increasing nuclear weapons security during annual code change cycles.
