Secure Communication for MUM-T: A Blockchain and Lightweight Cryptography Framework

Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) systems integrate manned aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to enhance mission effectiveness, allowing a single pilot to coordinate multiple UAVs for tasks like reconnaissance, communication, and targeting. However, the complexity and operational demands of MUM-T systems introduce significant security challenges, particularly for mission-critical data integrity and real-time communication. In this paper, we propose a new framework for adaptive blockchain cryptography that combines Proof of Authority (PoA)-based blockchain with XOR-based lightweight authentication. The blockchain component, with the manned aircraft that serves as the sole validator, ensures tamper-resistant logging of key mission data. Additionally, it supports accountability and traceability through an efficient PoA consensus algorithm. In parallel, XOR-based lightweight authentication secures control and telemetry signals with minimal computational overhead that enables low-latency and a real-time communication. Analyses results show that the proposed framework achieves a better transaction throughput with acceptable latency, which meets the stringent security and performance requirements of MUM-T operations. The proposed framework offers a scalable and resilient solution for secure communications in complex military environments.