Boeing to launch defence-grade Android

American aerospace company Boeing has confirmed it will launch a highly secure Android mobile device fit for use in defence and intelligence communities.    

Boeing has not issued any statement on the forthcoming release, but a spokesperson for the company has confirmed to Geekwire it is working on an Android device after details were revealed this week by the National Defense Magazine.     

According to the reports, Boeing’s Android device will enter a market in which secure encrypted mobiles are typically sold in the range of US$15,000 to US$20,000. 

It will be the first time Boeing has launched a mobile device, National Defense Magazine quoted Roger Krone, president of the company’s Network and Space Systems as saying.  

Brian Palma, vice president of Boeing’s secure infrastructure group reportedly said it was near the end of its development cycle and was preparing to launch “the Boeing phone” in late 2012. 

The company will not be making the phone for the consumer market. However, the consumerisation of IT in the enterprise was a key reason why Boeing settled on Android. 

Palma reportedly said there would be interest from defence, intelligence, corporate and emergency responder markets.