KL-43
Encyclopedia
The KL-43 is a portable, electronic cipher
device used by the United States
and the NATO from the early 1980s. The machine, manufactured by TRW
, is an adaptation of language translator technology, and includes a keyboard for input and an LCD display for output. It also contains a built-in modem
, a telephone coupler
, and the facility for connecting to a printer. A version of the KL-43 was famously used by Oliver North
to communicate with his assistant, Fawn Hall
, and others while managing candestine operations in Nicaragua in support of the "Contra" rebels. The device was paraded in front of cameras during the Iran-Contra congressional hearings.
There are a number of variations of the KL-43, including the KL-43, KL-43A, KL-43C and KL-43D.
Cipher
In cryptography, a cipher is an algorithm for performing encryption or decryption — a series of well-defined steps that can be followed as a procedure. An alternative, less common term is encipherment. In non-technical usage, a “cipher” is the same thing as a “code”; however, the concepts...
device used by the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and the NATO from the early 1980s. The machine, manufactured by TRW
TRW
TRW Inc. was an American corporation involved in a variety of businesses, mainly aerospace, automotive, and credit reporting. It was a pioneer in multiple fields including electronic components, integrated circuits, computers, software and systems engineering. TRW built many spacecraft,...
, is an adaptation of language translator technology, and includes a keyboard for input and an LCD display for output. It also contains a built-in modem
Modem
A modem is a device that modulates an analog carrier signal to encode digital information, and also demodulates such a carrier signal to decode the transmitted information. The goal is to produce a signal that can be transmitted easily and decoded to reproduce the original digital data...
, a telephone coupler
Acoustic coupler
In telecommunications, the term acoustic coupler has the following meanings:# An interface device for coupling electrical signals by acoustical means—usually into and out of a telephone instrument....
, and the facility for connecting to a printer. A version of the KL-43 was famously used by Oliver North
Oliver North
Oliver Laurence North is a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer, political commentator, host of War Stories with Oliver North on Fox News Channel, a military historian, and a New York Times best-selling author....
to communicate with his assistant, Fawn Hall
Fawn Hall
Fawn Hall was a secretary to Lt. Colonel Oliver North and a notable figure in the Iran-Contra affair, helping him shred confidential documents....
, and others while managing candestine operations in Nicaragua in support of the "Contra" rebels. The device was paraded in front of cameras during the Iran-Contra congressional hearings.
There are a number of variations of the KL-43, including the KL-43, KL-43A, KL-43C and KL-43D.