NEWS RELEASE

Technical Communications Corporation Roland Fournier,

100 Domino Drive Product Marketing

Concord, MA 01742 – 2892 (978) 287 5100

www.tccsecure.com

CONCORD, MA, May 10, 1999 - Technical Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: TCCO), a leader in securing mission-critical communication networks, today announced the launch and immediate availability of the CipherONEÔ Network Encryption System. The CipherONE Network Encryption System enhances the KEYNET secure management application and the Cipher X 7100 – the industry’s highest performance Triple DES (ANSI X9.52) frame relay encryption system. TCC is a leader in securing highly sensitive military and government networks. Now, this high quality encryption technology is being combined with ease-of-use management and upgrade capabilities to create frame relay VPNs that protect the growing number of commercial, financial and corporate WAN applications requiring security.

The CipherONEÔ Network Encryption System from TCC enables Cipher XÒ encryption units to be tailored to meet clients’ current and future networking needs. The ONE stands for Optimized Network Encryption using a single hardware platform. This innovative approach allows users to install a Cipher X 7100 data encryptor on their public frame relay network today at the circuit data rate and the number of secure private virtual circuits (PVCs) they need. There are three configurable Frame Relay speed options obtainable through secure software downloads that make up the CipherONE Network Encryption System for the Cipher X 7100 frame relay encryptor. The Cipher X 7100 has a maximum data transfer rate of 2.048Mbps and supports 976 encrypted PVCs. The Cipher X 7100 LiTE has a maximum data transfer rate of 256Kbps and supports 10 encrypted PVCs. The Cipher X 7100 Ultra LiTE has a maximum data transfer rate of 64Kbps and supports 2 encrypted PVCs.

The CipherONE approach allows users to remotely upgrade the hardware when the time comes to move to a higher speed circuit or add PVCs. With the CipherONE Network Encryption System, users can tailor their hardware encryption needs quickly and easily. This system also allows clients to protect their hardware investment by allowing easy remote upgrades to increase the circuit speed of the devices on the network without changing hardware. This allows them to pay for only the system they need today with options to upgrade in the future.

Carl H. Guild, Jr., TCC’s President and CEO, stated, "Our development of products for the commercial encryption security market continues. Expanding upon our CX7100/KEYNET Triple-DES frame relay encryptor, the CipherONE family of encryption products provides optimized system performance at a significantly reduced

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cost. These products are expected to be attractive to the large number of smaller enterprises where acquisition cost is very important. "

Markets

The CipherONE family of products with Triple-DES encryption provides secure frame relay communications for banking and financial institutions, insurance companies, healthcare providers and pharmaceuticals that place a high value on their data and its successful transmission.

Pricing and Availability

The CipherONE family of frame relay encryptors are available in three models. The Cipher X 7100 has a maximum data transfer rate of 2.048Mbps (T1/E1) and supports 976 encrypted PVCs. The Cipher X 7100 LiTE has a maximum data transfer rate of 256Kbps and supports 10 encrypted PVCs. The Cipher X 7100 Ultra LiTE has a maximum data transfer rate of 64Kbps and supports 2 encrypted PVCs. CipherONE products are available immediately at a starting price of $3,500 (U.S. only).

Technical Communications Corporation’s products and systems secure mission-critical networks for governments, corporations and financial institutions around the world. With over 35 years of experience, TCC is the trusted supplier for organizations that place a high value on their data and its successful transmission.

Matters discussed in this news release, including any discussion of or impact, expressed or implied, on the Company’s anticipated operating results and future earnings, including statements about the Company’s ability to achieve growth and profitability, contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Company’s operating results may differ significantly from the results indicated by such forward-looking statements. The Company’s operating results may be affected by many factors, including but not limited to future changes in export laws or regulations, changes in technology, the effect of foreign political unrest, the ability to hire, retain and motivate technical, management and sales personnel, the risks associated with the technical feasibility and market acceptance of new products, changes in telecommunications protocols, the effects of changing costs, exchange rates and interest rates and the Company's ability to renegotiate its line of credit with its banks. Although the Company’s securities trade on the NASDAQ National Market System, no assurances can be given that the Company will continue to be in compliance with all listing requirements or that the Company’s securities will continue to be listed on NASDAQ National Market or on NASDAQ SmallCap market. The delisting of the Company’s securities from the NASDAQ could have a material adverse effect on the market price of the Company’s securities. These and other risks are detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 3,1998 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 2, 1999.