Silvus StreamCaster — Leading the Way: The Industry’s First MANET Radio To Receive FIPS 140-3 Level 2 Validation

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Solving Cybersecurity Threats In Tactical Communications
FIPS 140-3: The New Standard for Cryptographic Modules

As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, secure and resilient communications have never been more critical. As a result, agencies around the world are transitioning to the FIPS 140-3 standard to ensure security requirements are met for cryptographic modules that are used to protect sensitive or classified data. 

Silvus Technologies is leading the way – becoming the first MANET radio manufacturer to achieve FIPS 140-3 Level 2 validation (Certificate #4936) for its widely deployed StreamCaster® MANET radios – setting a new industry benchmark for secure tactical communications.

Silvus is at the forefront of reshaping mesh network technology for mission critical applications on the ground, in the air, and at sea, providing network connectivity to those who keep us safe in any operational environment. 

The Silvus StreamCaster family of MANET radios provide high-fidelity video, voice, and data communications, delivering actionable intelligence at the speed of relevance. At the heart of every StreamCaster is Silvus’ battle-proven MN-MIMO waveform technology, capable of linking hundreds of nodes with unmatched range, data throughput, EW resiliency, and scalability. 

This edition of the Waveform Blog explores how FIPS 140-3 marks a significant step forward in cryptographic security standards, and how StreamCaster MANET radios achieving FIPS 140-3 Level 2 validation reinforces Silvus’ commitment as a trusted provider of secure, protected, and resilient communication solutions.

Understanding FIPS 140-3 Level 2 Validation And Its Importance In Tactical Communications

The Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-3 is the latest U.S. Government security standard for cryptographic modules. Established and managed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), FIPS 140-3 validation ensures that cryptographic solutions meet the U.S. Government’s highest security requirements for protecting sensitive data.

FIPS 140-3 Level 2 validation specifically addresses the need for enhanced physical security and tamper resistance. It requires cryptographic modules to have role-based authentication, enhanced identity-based authentication mechanisms, and physical security features that detect and respond to tampering attempts. Achieving FIPS 140-3 Level 2 validation means a device – such as StreamCaster MANET radios – meet strict federal cybersecurity standards, making them certified for use in critical government, defense, and enterprise applications where secure data transmission is paramount.

How Is FIPS 140-3 Different From FIPS 140-2?
What Are Its Advantages?

FIPS 140-3 replaces the long-standing FIPS 140-2 standard, bringing several key improvements that align with evolving cybersecurity threats and technological advancements. In the United States, federal agencies are required to use FIPS 140-3 validated modules, with September 2026 set as the sunset date for FIPS 140-2 certificates. Some of the key differences and advantages of FIPS 140-3 over the previous FIPS 140-2 standard include:

  • Alignment with International Standards – FIPS 140-3 aligns with ISO/IEC 19790:2012, ensuring global cryptographic consistency with U.S. and allied partner nations’ encryption standards and adherence to modern cryptographic security best practices. This ensures that StreamCaster MANET radios meet security requirements not only in the U.S. but also across allied nations, making them deployable in multinational joint operations.
  • More Stringent Authentication – Role and identity-based authentication mechanisms enhance access control to cryptographic functions.
  • Improved Entropy Requirements – Ensures better randomness for cryptographic keys, reducing vulnerabilities.
  • Updated Cryptographic Algorithm Testing – FIPS 140-3 includes more rigorous cryptographic testing requirements, ensuring compliance with modern encryption standards.
  • Greater Emphasis on Software Security – The new standard strengthens protections against software-based attacks on cryptographic modules.

By adopting FIPS 140-3, organizations using StreamCaster MANET radios benefit from state-of-the-art cryptographic security, ensuring their communications remain protected against modern cyber threats.

Deeper Dive — FIPS 140-3 Level 2 Security Features

FIPS 140-3 Level 2 validation introduces several critical security features designed to safeguard cryptographic modules from tampering and unauthorized access. These include:

  • Role-Based Authentication – Ensures only authorized personnel can configure or modify cryptographic settings as defined by different levels of permission. Additionally, strengthened access control mechanisms require specific user credentials for accessing secure operations.
  • Physical Tamper Evidence – Cryptographic modules must incorporate mechanisms that detect and respond to tampering attempts, such as security seals or coatings that reveal evidence of intrusion.
  • Tamper Response Mechanisms – Modules must take protective actions when physical tampering is detected, such as erasing cryptographic keys.
  • Robust Random Number Generation – Strengthened entropy requirements for secure cryptographic key generation.

These features make FIPS 140-3 Level 2 validated devices like StreamCaster MANET radios ideal for securing classified communications and sensitive data information in high-risk environments.

FIPS 140-3 Support of Advanced Encryption Including AES-256

Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)-256 is one of the strongest encryption algorithms used worldwide for securing sensitive data. FIPS 140-3 ensures that cryptographic modules implement AES-256 and other encryption protocols securely by enforcing rigorous validation testing and cryptographic key management practices.

With FIPS 140-3 Level 2 validation, StreamCaster MANET radios provide:

  • End-to-End Secure Communications – AES-256 encryption ensures that transmitted data remains confidential and protected from interception.
  • Secure Key Management – Stringent cryptographic key generation, storage, and destruction methods prevent unauthorized access.
  • Resilience Against Cyber Threats – Meeting the latest security standards ensures the radios are robust against evolving cyber-attack techniques.

By supporting AES-256 within a FIPS 140-3 framework, StreamCaster MANET radios deliver military-grade encryption to government, defense, and enterprise users, safeguarding their communications in contested and high-threat environments.

Silvus StreamCaster MANET Radios: Ensuring Cyber and Supply Chain Security

Beyond achieving FIPS 140-3 Level 2 validation, Silvus StreamCaster MANET radios adhere to the highest cybersecurity and supply chain security standards. StreamCaster MANET radios are NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) compliant, ensuring they meet stringent requirements for use in U.S. government and military applications.

Additionally, several StreamCaster MANET radio models, including the SC4200 and SL4200, have earned Defense Innovation Unit’s Blue UAS Framework and the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle System’s International Green UAS Certification, affirming their compliance with the Department of Defense’s (DoD) rigorous cybersecurity testing and supply chain security standards. These certifications provide government and military agencies with the assurance that StreamCaster MANET radios are built using trusted components, are free from foreign threats, and suitable for use in Blue UAS platforms and other critical defense and national security operations.

StreamCaster: The World’s Most Advanced Tactical MANET Radios

Silvus Technologies continues to reinforce its leadership position in secure tactical communications by achieving FIPS 140-3 Level 2 validation for its cryptographic modules, making StreamCaster MANET radios the first tactical radios to reach this security milestone. This certification ensures that Silvus radios meet the latest U.S. Government encryption standards, providing robust AES-256 encryption, enhanced tamper resistance, and compliance with the highest cybersecurity requirements. Silvus customers are able to access FIPS 140-3 Level 2 encryption and capability enhancements through a software update in the StreamScape 5 network management software. 

With additional certifications, including NDAA compliance, Blue UAS Framework, and Green UAS Certification, StreamCaster radios offer unparalleled security and reliability for military, government, unmanned systems, and enterprise applications. By choosing Silvus StreamCaster, organizations can be confident they are deploying the most secure and resilient MANET radios available, engineered to perform in the most challenging and contested environments of today and tomorrow.

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Contact Silvus today or Request a Demo to learn firsthand how Silvus can advance your tactical communications capabilities wherever the mission takes you.

 

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Interview Spotlight: Kägwerks & Silvus join forces to create DOCK StreamCaster

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Empowering the elite operator at the tactical edge

We’ve partnered to provide today’s universally connected warfighter with a powerfully advanced networking solution that will increase their lethality and survivability in today’s dynamically changing battlespace.

Niko Hughes, President of Kägwerks.

On the eve of SOF Week 2024, Kägwerks and Silvus Technologies unveiled DOCK StreamCaster, a new family of cutting-edge Tactical Networking Systems. To learn more about each company’s background and how DOCK StreamCaster is empowering special operators at the tactical edge, we caught up with Niko Hughes from Kägwerks and Rob Culver from Silvus Technologies.

Kagwerks: Mission Driven Products for the Universally Connected Warfighter

Founded nearly a decade ago, Kägwerks is a veteran-owned company comprised of former operators, design engineers and business leaders. United in their shared experiences on the battlefield, and passion for technology innovation, they created Kägwerks with a focus on creating a tactical advantage for those on the frontlines of our nation’s defense. 

Niko, I understand that you’re an EOD Officer with the National Guard, and that all Kägwerks leadership team members have military experience including – Cale Teeter (CTO), a retired Army Infantry Officer (Lt. Col.), and Garrett Schwindel (Founder & CEO), former Army Ranger (75th Ranger Regiment). How has your military experience helped to shape the focus of Kägwerks? 

Silvus Technologies: Dedicated to One Mission – Solving the Toughest Communication Problems Facing The Warfighter 

Since its founding in 2004, Silvus Technologies has become one the world’s leading developers of advanced MANET radio systems. Leveraging its roots in cutting-edge DARPA-funded research and backed by a growing team of PhD scientists and design engineers, Silvus continues to lead at the forefront of innovating communications technology for the tactical edge. 

Rob, as a 20-year veteran who began in the Infantry with the 101st Airborne Division, before going into U.S. Army Special Forces and later the Army Acquisition Corps, how has your experience impacted your role as Sales Director, USSOCOM at Silvus Technologies?

 

DOCK StreamCaster – Empowering the Elite Operator  

Unified by their mission to serve the Special Operations community and allied defense forces, Kägwerks and Silvus joined forces to create DOCK StreamCaster – the Next Generation of Tactical Networking Systems. Combining Silvus’ StreamCaster MANET radios with Samsung’s mission-ready EUDs in one fully ruggedized chest-mountable Dismounted Operator’s Combat Kit (DOCK). 

Compact and lightweight, each DOCK StreamCaster features a rugged, low SWaP profile and modular design, with streamlined cabling and unified power that reduces operator load-out while increasing mobility and combat effectiveness. Integrated StreamCaster MANET radios deliver up to 4 Watts native output power (8 Watts effective power thanks to TX Eigen-Beamforming) and up to 100 Mbps data rate, optimizing network efficiency for video, voice, and IP data communications. At the heart of every DOCK StreamCaster is Silvus’ revolutionary MN-MIMO waveform technology that creates a self-forming and adaptive mesh network – capable of linking hundreds of nodes with unmatched range, data throughput, and electronic warfare (EW) resiliency.

As the latest addition to the Kägwerks DOCK ecosystem, we’ve designed DOCK StreamCaster to be as modular and future-forward as possible – to give operators the power and versatility they need to stay connected for mission success, no matter where it takes them.

Niko Hughes, President of Kägwerks

Designed for wherever the mission takes you, the DOCK StreamCaster family of modular and scalable solutions allows end-users to choose the perfect configuration to match their mission. Explore DOCK StreamCaster Operator Centric Design, and Powerfully Advanced Networking Performance features further 

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Explore DOCK StreamCaster’s Operator Centric Design and Powerfully Advanced Networking Performance features HERE or Contact Us Today to learn more.

 

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MIMO Communication Systems Technology

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Radios & Antennas Working Together To Maximize Tactical Networking Capabilities

Reliable, robust and scalable wireless communications are vital for users who need to stay connected and coordinate actionable intelligence in challenging spectrum environments.  Multiple-input, Multiple-output or MIMO radio systems are a key enabler of creating powerful Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (MANET), that provide secure and reliable connectivity across a variety of operational applications. When used in conjunction with MIMO antennas they can be a force multiplier for creating powerful and adaptive mesh networks that unify operational assets in any environment. 

This edition of the Waveform Blog provides insights into MIMO-based radio systems and antennas, and how they can be used to create a high-performance tactical communications architecture for today’s mission-critical applications.

The Role and Importance of MIMO Communication Systems

At its core, MIMO communication systems utilize multiple antennas at both the transmitter and receiver ends to send and receive different data streams of a signal simultaneously. By processing signals from multiple paths, MIMO radio systems can mitigate the impact of noise and interference, resulting in vastly improved communication performance over legacy single antenna transceiver systems (SISO). 

In addition, with their ability to create multiple parallel data streams that deliver high bandwidth throughput, MIMO communication systems provide users with scalable network connectivity solutions that operate reliably in dynamic and complex RF environments. 

With a variety of MIMO radio form factors and MIMO antenna design choices readily available, system operators have integration flexibility options across multiple use cases, with the ability to create custom-tailored solutions to meet their network and mission requirements.  

Today, MIMO communication systems deliver increased performance and reliability, making them an essential technology for mission-critical defense, law enforcement, public safety and commercial broadcasting applications. 

MIMO Communication Systems Advantages

MIMO communication systems provide significant benefits across multiple use-case applications, making them a preferred choice for organizations deploying reliable communications networks. Some of their critical advantages include: 

Increased reliability

Exploiting multiple signal paths makes MIMO-based communication systems more robust, particularly in areas where obstacles, or surfaces that bounce and reflect signals are present. Through the use of spatial diversity, MIMO communications systems can even use the environment to its advantage – leveraging reflections and scattering to enable signals to take multiple paths between the transmitter and receiver. This diversity helps reduce signal fading and improve communication reliability in challenging and dynamically changing environments. The key takeaway is that with MIMO communications systems, users are not required to create unobstructed sightlines for communications – allowing them the freedom and ability to execute missions in complex environments or across multiple domains (land, sea, air).  

Enhanced redundancy

With MIMO communication systems, multiple antennas transmit and receive data packets simultaneously. In addition, through the use of Space-Time Coding, the bits of the digitized signal are also coded in time, with redundant bits sent at different intervals to counter-act any time-based variations in the environment. The end result is robustness through redundancy – if you have a packet loss on one data stream, the other streams will compensate, resulting in fewer losses of vital data communications. 

Elevated throughput

Through the use of Spatial Multiplexing and Eigen-Beamforming, MIMO communication systems enable users to transmit large amounts of data at high throughput rates. Spatial Multiplexing utilizes multiple antennas to transmit multiple unique information streams. A communications network that features MIMO-based radios and antennas at the transmitter and receiver ends can then decode these streams individually, increasing the amount of data flowing through. Eigen-Beamforming works slightly differently – adjusting the phase and amplitude of the transmitted signal to ensure that the optimal signal is always sent to the receiver. When used together, these two techniques are particularly valuable for high bandwidth operations including real-time video streaming, remote surveillance and other data-intensive applications. 

Enhanced visual and auditory quality

A MIMO communications system uses multiple antennas at the transmitter and receiver side to create spatial degrees of freedom. Because of its ability to combine and reconstruct multiple data streams simultaneously, a MIMO communications system can eliminate noise or image corruption – providing users with the highest possible visual and auditory quality. 

Expanded flexibility

Because MIMO communication systems for tactical Mobile Ad-hoc Networks are not constrained by fixed infrastructure limitations, they can rapidly be adapted based on changing channel and operational conditions. Communication network operators and RF engineers have multiple choices in the types of MIMO radios and antennas used, enabling them to custom tailor networked solutions based on their operational tempo. By utilizing adaptive signal routing and other advanced MIMO antenna techniques, these systems enable RF signals to navigate complex and multi-path, non-line-of-sight environments, creating a robust and flexible communications network across multi-domain operations (air, land, sea).   

MIMO Radio & Antenna Options – An Overview 

Silvus StreamCaster Radio

Typically characterized by its number of antenna ports, MIMO radios come in a variety of form factors ranging from 2×2 MIMO handheld battery-powered radios that can be easily integrated into tactical vests, to externally powered 4×4 MIMO radios that can be temporarily or permanently mounted to vehicles or fixed infrastructure. In addition, each of these radio types typically offers OEM or radio module versions, allowing the physical layer of the radio to be installed and directly connected to manned or unmanned vehicle sub-systems.  Because of their bi-directional ability – to both send and receive different data streams simultaneously – MIMO radios excel at delivering high-fidelity video, voice and IP data communications. This translates into a superior radio experience for its operators, providing high bandwidth connectivity coupled with operational flexibility.  

MIMO radios are compatible with both Single Input, Single Output (SISO) and MIMO antennas. SISO antennas feature a single port, and rely on the MIMO radio to send, receive and process signals through it. MIMO antennas, on the other hand, contain multiple ports with integrated functional elements that are used to transmit and receive signals simultaneously, thereby optimizing data throughput and enhancing radio connectivity performance. Often in MIMO antennas, their functional elements are polarized opposite of each other for improved signal performance in complex operational environments, with both single and dual frequency band configurations. 

Omni Antennas

A SISO antenna type, Omnidirectional antennas radiate equal power in all directions, making them a flexible choice for tactical MANET radio applications. Typically attached directly to the radio or connected via RF cables, Omni antennas provide 360° RF antenna patterns across single or dual frequency bands. Operators can also choose from a range of low to high gain, and horizontal to vertical polarity to customize the performance and RF signature of their communications network. 

Panel Antennas

Available in both SISO and MIMO configurations, Panel antennas directionally radiate power, providing improved performance and coverage over focused areas of operation. This high degree of energy and beam focus enables them to overcome environmental obstacles. Panel antennas provide use case flexibility through quick-deploy mast options or fixed installations. 

Patch Antennas

A low-profile variant of the panel antenna available in both SISO and MIMO configurations, patch antennas provide a directional RF antenna pattern but with higher gain with a more focused beamwidth than Omnidirectional antennas. With a compact size, patch antennas range from body-worn to mobile/vehicular and installed configurations.  

High-Gain Sector Antennas

These MIMO antennas concentrate their signals in a specific area or sector, providing an efficient use of available power and data throughput over extended ranges. To achieve multi-sector coverage, multiple high-gain sector antennas can be combined to create 360° of coverage. 

Dish Antennas

These parabolic-shaped MIMO antennas provide high gain and high throughput over long distances. Because they produce the narrowest beamwidth of any antenna type within a focused area of operation, Dish antennas used in wireless communications networks are typically tracking antenna variants, that include automatic azimuth calibration and 360° rotation to maximize their operational effectiveness.   

 

MIMO Communication Systems Applications

MIMO Communication Systems applications are as varied as their form factor options. Their robust network capacity and increased area coverage combined with operational flexibility provide effective connectivity options for tactical to long-range applications. 

Defense, law enforcement and public safety

MIMO communication systems are vital in defense, law enforcement and public safety applications, providing secure and reliable network connectivity in complex and austere operational environments. With the ability to unify operational assets including personnel, vehicles, command centers and manned/unmanned aircraft, agencies typically employ a variety of MIMO-based radio and antenna types to create scalable mesh networks that deliver mission success.  

Aerospace and aviation

MIMO communications systems enable high-bandwidth data and communications downlink and relays between the aircraft, control center and ground-based personnel. When used together with MIMO technology this results in minimized signal latency and optimized spectral efficiency, ensuring high throughput communication links that are crucial for operational efficiency and safety in congested airspaces.

Unmanned Systems

With their bi-directional ability to both send and receive data streams simultaneously, MIMO communication systems are instrumental in enhancing C2, data downlinks and communication relay capabilities for unmanned systems ranging from stratospheric and high-altitude platform systems (HAPS) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), to unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) and unmanned surface vessels (USV). Given the critical nature of many unmanned missions, secure and EW-resilient communications are essential for mission success. MIMO communication systems provide this operational capability, ensuring robust connectivity and improved situational awareness at greater stand-off range and in contested environments.  

Broadcasting and multimedia

MIMO communications systems stand out for their unique spatial multiplexing capabilities, allowing broadcasters to transmit multiple data streams over the same frequency band. This, combined with advanced MIMO radio and antenna techniques paves the way for high-definition signal reception even in congested spectrum environments and complex urban environments with multi-path reflections.

Acting as a force multiplier for operational teams, MIMO communication systems create a powerful MANET mesh network that connects and unifies communications throughout your area of operation – from personnel, vehicles and command posts to long-range unmanned and manned aircraft. 

Silvus MIMO Radios

As the world’s leading developer of advanced MIMO communication systems, powered by Silvus’ proprietary MN-MIMO waveform, Silvus Technologies is reshaping mesh network technology for mission-critical applications – on the ground, in the air and at sea. Purpose-built to outmaneuver tactical RF challenges in any environment with class-leading throughput, range, EW resiliency and scalability, our family of StreamCaster MANET radios delivers next-generation capabilities to Defense, Public Safety and Commercial customers around the world. To learn more, visit the StreamCaster Radios page.

StreamCaster Radios

Silvus MIMO Antennas

Silvus’ StreamCaster PRISM family of Precision Integrated Sectorized MIMO antennas is a modular solution that combines the performance of StreamCaster MANET radios with high-gain, dual polarity sector antennas to deliver up to 360° of coverage for tactical to fixed infrastructure applications. To learn more, visit the StreamCaster PRISM page.

StreamCaster PRISM

Silvus StreamCaster TRINITY Dual Band MIMO Transceiver Array delivers high bandwidth, long-range mesh network communications in any environment. Featuring a unique Trilobe design, each of StreamCaster TRINITY’s three, high-gain 12 dbi sector antennas provides 120° of coverage, extending the area of operation for manned/unmanned air and ground assets. Use them independently or together to achieve up to 360° of coverage

StreamCaster Trinity

 

Your Mission Is Our Mission: 

Silvus Technologies is dedicated to one mission: Solving the toughest communication problems on the planet. 

Since Silvus’ founding, we’ve pioneered MIMO communication technology, culminating in the release of the world’s first ever tactical MIMO radio. Through groundbreaking research & development, Silvus’ team of top PhD scientists and design engineers continue to innovate MIMO communications for the tactical edge, enabling new capabilities and applications for customers in high-stakes industries. 

Through everything we do, we take a partnership approach – bring us your most difficult communication problems and we’ll help you solve them with MIMO communication technologies that just work. 

 

Learn More

Contact Us Today to learn how Silvus is delivering advanced MIMO Communication Systems Technology
for mission critical applications in any operational environment.

 

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