Executives at the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) sought to provide high-performance, portable, and secure smartphones to warfighters and homeland security personnel. To do so, they turned to engineers at General Dynamics C4 Systems in Scottsdale, Ariz., and their Sectéra Edge wireless phone/personal digital assistant (PDA).
The Sectéra Edge smartphone was developed under the NSA Secure Mobile Environment/Portable Electronic Device (SME PED) Program. It is designed to provide users with wireless access to the U.S. Government’s Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet) and Non-classified Internet Protocol Router Network (NIPRNet), enabling users to e-mail, Web-browse, and switch between classified and unclassified data communications with one touch.
The Sectéra Edge smartphone, similar in form and function to a commercial cell phone/PDA, also operates on existing Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), and wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) commercial cellular networks. The smartphone interfaces with the Department of Defense Public Key Infrastructure using the government’s standard Common Access Card.
General Dynamics C4 Systems has begun initial deliveries of the Sectéra Edge smartphone to U.S. Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and other government personnel.
The indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) contract has a potential value of $300 million over five years. For additional information, visit General Dynamics C4 Systems online at www.gdc4s.com.
