Scalable distributed software defined radio (SDR) and mission computing architecture

A system providing a scalable distributed operating environment is provided. The system may include a cryptographic module for encrypting communications for transmission over an external network. Further, more than one classified processor may be communicatively coupled to the cryptographic module for handling classified processes and information. In addition, more than one unclassified processor may also be communicatively coupled to the cryptographic module for handling unclassified processes and information. The number of classified and unclassified processors activated upon selection of a waveform is dependent upon the degree of complexity of the waveform.