• New ground-based UNS-GS variant of deployable UNS network attached storage system stores and protects up to 32 TB of classified data-at-rest (DAR)

Ashburn, Va. 03 November 2020. Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions division announced the expansion of its family of solutions for unattended protection of data-at-rest (DAR) with the introduction of the new UNS Ground Station (UNS-GS) network attached storage (NAS) system. The UNS-GS provides a ground-based complement to its popular deployable Unattended Network Storage (UNS) system. Both solutions support NSA Certified Type 1 encryption for DAR using the General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) ProtecD@R® Multi-Platform Encryptor (KG-204). Classified data (up to 32 TB) is stored on Removable Storage Modules (RSM), which are used to transport data between the ground-based UNS-GS and deployed UNS. The UNS-GS captures data via industry standard network storage protocols (NFS, CIFS, iSCSI, HTTP, and FTP) through four 10 Gigabit Ethernet GbE at speeds up to 2 GB/s.

The UNS-GS is intended for use in conjunction with the UNS, and can serve as a ground station NAS for data off-load and decryption from a deployed UNS, a ground station for up-load and encryption of mission, map, and boot files to a deployed UNS, and as a standalone mobile intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) system. After a mission, captured sensor data that is stored on an RSM can be easily removed from the UNS and transported to the UNS-GS, where it can be decrypted and off-loaded for post-mission analysis. Support for remote client booting via Pre-boot Execution (PXE) and Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) protocols enables system designers to eliminate redundant storage devices in each client, and perform fast updates to a client’s operating system and application software.

“With the introduction of our new UNS-GS ground station solution for protecting encrypted data-at-rest to the highest levels, we further extend our leadership as a supplier of advanced embedded data storage solutions,” said Lynn Bamford, President, Defense and Power. “The UNS-GS provides a seamless complement to our UNS network file server, providing a ground based variant that meets the growing need for Type-1 encrypted data storage on unattended platforms with a rugged, fully integrated solution that’s ready for deployment.”

About the UNS and UNS-GS
As the number of sensors on unmanned ISR platforms – such as UAV, UUV, USV, and UGVs – continues to proliferate, the challenge of protecting the critical data collected and stored on those platforms has grown in significance. Curtiss-Wright’s UNS is a deployable rugged NAS solution that provides Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) encryption to protect DAR. The UNS prevents unauthorized access to classified information in the event that the unattended platform is lost or stolen. The combination of the UNS and the complementary UNS-GS provide system integrators with a fully rugged off-the-shelf solution for protecting deployed and ground DAR that significantly lowers costs and program risk while speeding time to deployment.

These complementary storage solutions are the industry’s first and only DAR encryption systems based on the NSA-certified ProtecD@R Multi-Platform (KG- 204). With 2 GB/s throughput, the ProtecD@R Multi-Platform supports high-speed data storage yet is small enough for desktop or embedded use. In order to maintain a high system throughput, the UNS-GS is designed to accommodate two KG-204 encryptors behind a secured panel.

UNS/UNS GS Performance Features:

  • Network attached storage
  • 2 x GDMS ProtecD@R® Multi-Platform Encryptors (KG-204)
  • 32 TB removable solid state memory module
  • 2 GB/s system throughput
  • 4 x 10 GbE and 4 x 1 GbE ports
  • 2 x USB 2.0 ports
  • 1 x RS-232 port
  • Network storage – NFS, CIFS, FTP HTTP
  • Block storage – iSCSI
  • Packet capture – PCAP
  • Remote client booting – PXE, DHCP