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To: Ilaine who wrote (58351)	1/16/2001 7:56:39 PM
From: Starowl	Respond to of 436258

You are correct that the DOD protects most of its communication with encryption, as do most governments. The encryption feature in Iridium was not present in the earlier phones. This is a new feature. A very identifiable communication system such as Iridium, if used primarily for "black ops", would pretty much compromise anyone who used it. I think the encrypted phones will be distributed to military personnel operating in remote areas (and they could be on some spooky mission) where there are no telephone lines for the standard STU or newer STE to use and where portability (small, lightweight) and internal battery power (STU/STE is heavy and needs an external power source) significantly improves mobility. You can operate the STU/STE in remote areas with an Inmarsat terminal but the package is relatively cumbersome and heavy. Its advantage is the ability to transfer data up to 64kbps. But for routine secure voice communication activity out in the boonies, the encrypted Iridium phones should make life a bit easier. If they work.