General Dynamics' Sectera Edge approved by NSA

We know, you probably forgot that a certain smartphone from General Dynamics was even in the running for NSA approval earlier this year, but lo and behold, the Q4 estimate was actually met and the coveted thumbs-up was given to the (totally unfashionable) Sectera Edge. The National Security Agency has reportedly "awarded a contract to General Dynamics C4 Systems enabling military and government users to order" the mobile, and just in case you weren't aware of how lucrative an indefinite delivery / indefinite quantity agreement could be, this particular one has a "potential value of $300 million over five years." Folks that end up with one of these things will have handheld access to the US government's Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet) and Non-classified Internet Protocol Router Network (NIPRNet), but oddly enough, we're not told whether top secret agencies will be kosher with third-party applications.

[Via CNET]

[Bad HAL 9000 @ Oct 18th 2007 10:48AM]

I work in the communications area in the Air Force and I can tell you that the DoD policy on smartphones is that no third party applications are allowed period. :P Air force is mandating we use Windows Mobile devices only getting us away from the Blackberries.

[Hax Or @ Oct 18th 2007 12:14PM]

I'll stick to my Nintendo DS homebrew for 3rd party applications on a mobile platform.

The Apple iPhone/iTouch would be fine if there were some actual buttons or a stylus. The touch screen is fine, but I am not a fan of putting my oily digits all over the screen. Sorry, not my style Mr. Jobs.

But if I got rid of my cellphone, sure an iPhone would be cool. But my black DS Lite has an Organizer, plays Doom 2, Madden 08, Tiger Woods 08... it's the bomb.

[Evan Briggs @ Oct 18th 2007 6:09PM]

lol ya go ahead and stick apps on a SIPR phone and your phone will be confiscated on the spot and then you will face UCMJ action. GDC4 is one of the governments major contractors for there communication devices. so they where pretty much a shoe-in regardless of how crappy the device is...hurray...

[Jeff Beck @ Oct 18th 2007 10:32PM]

I'm sure that they must have thought of this but let me ask anyhow, what if someone kidnaps one of these DoD persons and then takes him to a secluded area, puts a gun to his head and says okay log into SIPRnet with your phone then hand it to me.

Does anyone else see a problem with mobile SIPRnet access or is it just me?

[Tomahawk @ Oct 20th 2007 11:17PM]

Not only that, but it really makes me wonder what happens when someone looses on......does that mean everyone will have to do that annoying rekey, in order to go secure?