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Boeing’s Black Is A Revolutionary Secure Android Smartphone That Can Self-Destruct

A self-destructing smartphone may sound like something out of a James Bond film, but Boeing has made it reality.

By Sadho Ram — 02 Mar 2014, 05:18 PM — Updated almost 11 years ago

Cover image via androidcentral.com

Boeing Has Made A Smartphone That Appears To Have Come Straight Out Of A James Bond Movie. Codenamed Black, This Spy-Like Phone Will Erase All Data And Deactivate If Tampered With Or Pried Open.

Plans describing the mysterious Android-powered handset called "Black," filed by Boeing earlier this month with the Federal Communications Commission, surfaced Wednesday.

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They reveal more details about the long-rumored device, which is designed for government workers who handle sensitive information.

The secure phone marks an extension of the communications arm of the Chicago-based aerospace and defense contractor, which is best known for jetliners and fighter planes.

The Boeing Black Is Designed To Be “Sold Primarily To Government Agencies And Companies Engaged In Contractual Activities With Those Agencies That Are Related To Defense And Homeland Security

In addition to employees of government agencies, the phone is being developed primarily for "companies engaged in contractual activities with those agencies that are related to defense and homeland security."

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The device will be marketed and sold in a manner such that low-level technical and operational information about the product will not be provided to the general public,” according to the FCC filing.

Although Relatively Little Is Known About Boeing's Black Phone, FCC Records Indicate That It Supports Two SIM Cards, And Works On GSM, WCDMA And LTE Networks

The 5.2-by-2.7-inch handset, slightly larger than an iPhone, uses dual SIM cards and can operate on the WCDMA, GSM and LTE frequency bands.

Boeing isn't revealing many details about its Black phone, but the device supports two micro SIMs.

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It also offers WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity and ports to allow "integrating additional sensors or technology enhancements like satellite connectivity or expanding power," Boeing said.

The Phone Is Programmed To Self-Destruct If Someone Tampers With It

The Boeing Black Smartphone is based on Google Inc's Android operating system and built into a black, tamper-proof handset capable of accessing multiple cell networks instead of a single network like a normal cellphone, according to Boeing and filings with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission.

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"Any attempt to break open the casing of the device would trigger functions that would delete the data and software contained within the device, and make the device inoperable."

Boeing Even Filed Documents To The FCC That The Smartphone And Its Details Are To Be Private Or Protected By Non-Disclosure Agreements

Although the FCC filings shed a little more light on how the Black phone is used, the public won’t likely learn many more details about the device itself. Citing security concerns, Olcott explained to the FCC why Boeing is trying so hard to keep the Black phone’s design details under wraps.

The Boeing logo is seen at their headquarters in Chicago, April 24, 2013.

Image via reutersmedia.net

“It is also in the public interest that the design and operational details of products that are specifically intended for use by governmental agencies and their contractors be protected from disclosure in order to ensure the continued reliability and security of such products,” he said.

Although Black Is Not The First Super-Secure Smartphone We're Seeing This Year

Earlier this week, SGP Technologies unveiled its security-focused Android-powered ”Blackphone” at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

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Unlike Boeing's Black, Blackphone — which runs a custom privacy-centric version of Android — will be available to civilians.