Abstract: A network communication system includes a plurality of computer systems each of which may operate in accordance with at least one protocol stack assigned to a security level of a multilevel security model. The computer system may perform address discovery or registration for network-layer address(es) with a network for an exchange of data between hosts provided by protocol stacks at respective security levels of the multilevel security model. And the computer system may exchange data between the hosts, with the data being accessible or inaccessible by the hosts according to the respective security levels and mandatory access control information flow policy/policies consistent with the multilevel security model. The address discovery or registration, on the other hand, may be performed using a network management protocol that is trusted and accessible by the hosts without regard to the respective security levels and mandatory access control information flow policy/policies.

Abstract: A vehicle is described having an engine to provide motive transportation and a work producing device used to provide power and thermal conditioning to a payload aboard the vehicle. In one form the work producing device provides power to the payload separate from a network powered by the engine that provides motive transportation. The payload can be a directed energy device in one embodiment. The vehicle can take the form of an aircraft which can be configured to receive the work producing device in a cargo bay/payload bay and/or a pod.