SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Aug. 7 AZ-GenDynC4Sys-NSAcon
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Aug. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- General Dynamics C4
Systems has been awarded a $2.8 million contract by the National Security
Agency (NSA) to add a new Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) feature to
the Sectera(R) vIPer(TM) Universal Secure Phone. The new feature, called "PSTN
Connect," will enable the vIPer Phone to connect with traditional telephone
networks, enabling users of secure desktop phones to use one secure phone on
either PSTN or VoIP networks. The vIPer Phone currently operates on Internet
Protocol (IP) networks.
"The idea behind PSTN Connect is to provide users with a flexibility they
don't have today. For example, the vIPer Universal Secure Phone will appeal to
those whose installations currently use the PSTN network, but who plan to
migrate to voice over IP; users who currently have voice over IP networks; and
others who plan to stay with traditional PSTN," said John Cole, vice president
of Information Assurance for General Dynamics C4 Systems. "It's about
protecting our customers' investments by providing a product that will
accommodate evolving communications technologies."
Introduced in 2006, the Sectera vIPer Phone remains the only voice over IP
phone certified by the NSA to protect information classified Top Secret and
below over commercial networks. The vIPer Universal Secure Phone, with PSTN
Connect, will be submitted for NSA certification testing in the third-quarter
of 2008. The vIPer, with PSTN Connect, upon successfully completing
certification testing, will provide secure phone users with a cost effective
solution for replacing legacy secure phones, including the Secure Telephone
Unit (STU-III).
General Dynamics C4 Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics
(NYSE: GD), is a leading integrator of secure communication and information
systems and technology. The company specializes in command and control,
communications networking, space systems, computing and information assurance
for defense, government and select commercial customers in the United States
and abroad.
General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs
approximately 84,600 people worldwide and anticipates 2008 revenues of
approximately $29.5 billion. The company is a market leader in business
aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions;
shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies.
More information about the company is available on the Internet at
http://www.generaldynamics.com.
SOURCE General Dynamics C4 Systems
