Military radios get security at a steep price.

• Author: Erwin, Sandra I.
• Position: Washington PULSE - Brief Article

To protect their radio communications from being intercepted by the enemy, the military services equip their devices with expensive encryption systems. The most secure form of encryption is called "Type 1," and has been certified by the National Security Agency. But the cost of Type 1 encryption--which can add $4,000 to $5,000 to the price of each radio is frustrating some industry executives who believe that the military is overpaying for radios because there is such limited supply of Type 1 encryption engines.

Only two vendors have been certified by NSA as authorized suppliers...