Defense

Northrop Grumman

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Overview

City Labs is collaborating with Northrop Grumman on developing a tritium-powered nanowatt crypto key retention and security COMSEC system that requires no battery replacement for the lifetime of the equipment. This cutting-edge project, funded by the U.S. Air Force, leverages City Labs’ NanoTritium™ batteries to provide ultra-low-power, maintenance-free energy solutions for secure military communication systems.

This ongoing partnership, which began in 2023 and is expected to conclude in 2025, explores how long-life tritium betavoltaics can enhance cryptographic security by ensuring continuous power for encryption keys and classified data retention without the need for periodic battery replacement.

Key Details

Timeline

• 2023–Present

Collaborators

• Northrop Grumman
• Funded by the U.S. Air Force

Funding

• U.S. Air Force

Goal

• Develop a secure, long-lasting power source for cryptographic key retention and communications security (COMSEC) systems that eliminates the need for battery replacement over the life of the equipment.

Significance and Applications

This project aims to address a critical challenge in military cybersecurity and communications security (COMSEC)—ensuring cryptographic keys remain powered and secure without requiring routine maintenance or battery swaps. City Labs’ NanoTritium™ batteries offer a unique solution by providing stable, ultra-low-power output for decades, ensuring uninterrupted security in mission-critical defense applications.

As the project continues, early results indicate favorable performance, reinforcing the potential for NanoTritium™ power sources to redefine energy solutions for military cryptographic security systems.

Resources and Links

• City Labs Awarded U.S. Air Force SBIR D2P2 Contract