Homepage Crypto Index Enigma Hagelin Fialka Siemens Philips Nema Racal Motorola STK Transvertex Gretag HELL Telsy TST Mils AT&T Tadiran USA USSR UK Voice Hand Mixers Phones Spy sets Burst encoders Intercept Covert Radio PC Telex Agencies Manufacturers Donate Kits Shop News Events Wanted Contact About Links Siemens T-1285CA Online/offline teletype encryptor - wanted item The T-1285CA was an electronic device for the online/offline encryption and decryption of text-based messages. It was based on a T1285 teletype unit developed by Siemens AG in Germany, with internal cryptographic capabilities developed by Philips Crypto BV in The Netherlands.   The machine was developed as the successor to the T-1000CA Aroflex, a machine based on the Siemens T-1000 typetype terminal with a crypto unit, developed by Philips, bolted to its bottom. The new T-1285CA was intended as a plug-in replacement for the Aroflex and was developed in close collaboration with Philips Crypto BV. It consists of a main unit, a monitor, a printer and an (optional) paper-tape reader/puncher. All units meet full NATO TEMPEST requirements [1]. It is also known as the Philips PDLX-6141, but is generally called Aroflex II [2].    Development of the T-1285CA took many years and costed many thousands of Euros. Introduction of the machine was delayed several times and by the time it was introduced, in the mid-1990s, teletype machines were rapidly being replaced by computers. As a result, only a few machines were sold and both Philips and Siemens decided to end the project. The basic T-1285 teletype unit was also adopted by Crypto AG (Hagelin) in Switzerland as the body for their HC-5700 and HC-5750 encryption devices [3]. Although the Hagelin-version is similar in appearance, it is not compatible with the NATO approved T-1285CA. The HC-5700 remained in production long after Siemens had discontinued the T-1285CA [3].    For a detailed description of the T-1285CA, please refer to the Aroflex II-page.   References Siemens, TEMPEST Crypto Communications System T1285CA Full-colour 6-page brochure of the T-1285CA. Philips Crypto BV, Crypto Communications System AROFLEX II Full-colour 6-page brochure of the PDLX-6141 Aroflex II. NATO Restricted. 1993. Jane's Military Communications, Eighteenth Edition, 1997-98 ISBN 0-1706-1530-2. Further information Philips Aroflex II T-1000CA (Aroflex), the predecessor of the Aroflex II Other Siemens cipher machines Other Philips cipher machines Main crypto page Any links shown in red are currently unavailable. If you like this website, why not make a donation? © Copyright 2009-2013, Paul Reuvers & Marc Simons. Last changed: Thursday, 05 April 2012 - 12:46 CET