MUSE, the French Armed Forces' secure messaging system

The French MOD has decided to replace its existing messaging system, based on the telegraphic relay technology, by an e-mail system, based on COTS, and compliant with military requirements in the domains of security and reliability.

The French MOD has chosen Matra Systemes & Information as prime contractor for the replacement of its existing system and Thomson-CSF for the security and encryption technology. This program, called MUSE, involves up to 40,000 end users, spread in more than 500 locations, in France and overseas.

MUSE is divided in two phases : the system design and development, which will be achieved early 2001, and the system deployment, which will then last until 2006.

MUSE is designed to be used in peace, crisis and war contexts. It consists essentially of four main components; a message handling system, directory services, a management system, and security services. It uses the newest commercial e-mail technology to increase speed, reliability and security of messaging.

The main technical features of MUSE are:

• Core message handling system based on X.400 international recommendations,
• Departmental messaging systems based on Lotus Notes I Domino products,
• Directory services based on X.500 international recommendations,
• Management services based on Internet technology,
• Security system built around a Public Key Infrastructure,
• Use of fault-tolerant equipments for vital nodes of the system.

In addition, MUSE offers some specific services to military users, such as workflow tools and secure interoperability with others messaging systems.

As prime contractor, MATRA SYSTEMES & INFORMATION will be responsible for the management of the whole program and will be leader of the system design, the engineering (including functional analysis and performance analysis), the integration and tests phase and the deployment.

REF XQQEE XQQSA XQQAR XQQLD