Joint Strike Fighter Program employs ORBexpress communications middleware for security certification

Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman officials needed communications middleware that is certified to be secure for avionics in the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. They found their solution at Objective Interface Systems Inc. in Herndon, Va.

Objective Interface’s ORBexpress is communications middleware evaluated under the Common Criteria security certification standard.

Officials selected ORBexpress for the F-35’s communications, navigation, and identification (CNI) system. The certification of ORBexpress will save time and money by making it easier and faster to develop and certify secure systems using evaluated commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) communications middleware, explains a representative.

The CNI system, being developed by Northrop Grumman for the F-35’s prime contractor, Lockheed Martin, must meet the highest level of security.

“As with any system involving national security, the F-35 needs to depend on certified software,” says Ben Calloni, fellow for security and senior research program manager for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. in Johnstown, Pa. “Lockheed Martin is responding by selecting COTS products that are certified to the Common Criteria, the international standard for security evaluations. ORBexpress is the only communications middleware being certified to EAL-4+. By selecting it for the CNI project, we are demonstrating our commitment to building secure systems with evaluated products.”

For more information, visit Objective Interface Systems online at www.ois.com.