Achieving DoD IP Modem interoperability utilizing the Joint IP Modem (JIPM)

IP Modem interoperability has been a topic of discussion for the past 7 years with major efforts underway to enhance the use of commercially available standards, incorporating Department of Defense (DoD) unique security capabilities for use by the Warfighter. The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), in conjunction with Project Manager, Defense Communications & Army Transmission Systems (PM DCATS), has developed the Joint Internet Protocol Modem (JIPM) Interoperability Standard, which defines extensions to the Digital Video Broadcast - Second Generation (DVB-S2) and Digital Video Broadcast - Return Channel via Satellite (DVB-RCS) standards, and provides a mechanism to incorporate Transmission Security (TRANSEC), incorporate Information Assurance (IA), meet National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) requirements, and obtain DoD Information Assurance Certification and Accreditation Process (DIACAP) accreditation. This first-of-its-kind capability has been implemented in the JIPM. The JIPM Standard defines all of the necessary parameters required by equipment manufacturers to implement modes that will allow varying platforms to interoperate in the encrypted and non-encrypted modes. This paper will discuss how next generation Internet Protocol (IP) - based Satellite Communication (SATCOM) Modems can leverage the JIPM Standard to promote interoperability while providing enhanced features needed by today's Warfighters.