Next Generation Load Device - Medium

The Next Generation Load Device - Medium (NGLD-M) program is a key component of the Army's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget, specifically under Program Element (PE) 0605144A. The primary goal of this program is to modernize the Army's cryptographic key management and distribution capabilities, supporting the Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) initiative. NGLD-M is designed to replace the legacy Simple Key Loader (SKL), which faces significant parts availability challenges and is no longer sufficient to address current and emerging cybersecurity threats. The program supports the Army's Cryptographic Modernization 2 (CM2) priorities and aims to enhance secure communications across the force.

The NGLD-M Development and NSA Certification line item funds the research, development, and testing of new hardware and software solutions for cryptographic key management. The device will issue, fill, and manage cryptographic keys and mission planning products from the National Security Agency (NSA) Key Management Infrastructure (KMI) and End-Cryptographic Units (ECUs). A major objective is to enable secure, Over-the-Network Keying (OTNK), which reduces the logistical burden of physically updating all ECUs. The program leverages two hardware vendors and a government-developed User Application Software (UAS) to ensure a common user experience. The budget supports continued development, operational testing, and NSA certification for both vendors, including Security Verification Tests (SVT) and Physical Configuration Audits (PCA) to meet NSA requirements.

The Program Management Support line item provides funding for matrixed government support from the Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center. This support includes program management and software engineering expertise to guide the NGLD-M development, testing, and certification efforts. Additional funding is allocated to address increased program management needs resulting from NSA-driven hardware security modifications and integration cost increases by the Naval Information Warfare Center - Pacific (NIWC-P), which have extended the development timeline.

The Developmental Test & Evaluation Support line item funds the necessary testing and evaluation activities to ensure the NGLD-M meets operational and security requirements. Funding supports remaining developmental and initial operational test and evaluation activities, including those required for Full-Rate Production (FRP) and NSA high-assurance certification. These efforts are critical for verifying that the NGLD-M meets cryptographic and protective alarm specifications in accordance with NSA Information Assurance Security Requirements Documents (IASRD) and Security Evaluation Requirement Document 2.0 (SERD2.0).

The Key Management Infrastructure Development project within PE 0605144A is an Acquisition Category III (ACAT III) Program of Record (POR) with multi-service and multi-national stakeholder interest. The acquisition strategy utilizes a multiple award contract approach for development, production, and sustainment, ensuring competition and flexibility. The program must integrate commercially available solutions into a device capable of meeting NSA high-assurance certification and the rigorous requirements outlined in the NGLD Capability Production Document (CPD). Specific requirements include tamper protections and limiting electromagnetic radiation to prevent adversarial detection.

The NGLD-M program experienced a cost and schedule deviation in June 2024 due to NSA-mandated hardware security modifications and increased integration costs from NIWC-P. These changes resulted in longer development efforts and delayed projected procurement, necessitating additional RDT&E funds in FY2026 and beyond. The program is progressing toward Milestone C, with plans for Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) and Full-Rate Production decisions, after which NGLD-M will fully replace the SKL across the Army.