<PAGE>
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.5


THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED, OR UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF ANY STATE. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE
SOLD OR OFFERED FOR SALE IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
COVERING THE SECURITIES BEING SOLD UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED,
AND SUCH STATE LAWS AS MAY BE APPLICABLE, OR A WRITTEN OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE
EFFECT THAT SUCH TRANSFER OR SALE MAY BE EFFECTED WITHOUT THE REGISTRATION OF
THE SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND THE APPLICABLE
STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

                          SUBORDINATED CONVERTIBLE NOTE

Irvine, California                                             December 17, 2001


      FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, SSP Solutions, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), promises to pay to the order of Richard P. Kiphart,
at c/o William Blair & Company, 222 West Adams Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606
(or at such other place as may, from time to time, be designated from time to
time), in lawful money of the United States of America and in immediately
available funds, the principal sum of One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars
($1,500,000), or, such greater or lesser principal sum as may be outstanding
from time to time under this Subordinated Convertible Note (this "Note")
together with interest on the outstanding balance of such principal sum at the
rates and times provided herein and in the Purchase Agreement (as defined
below).

1.    TERMS.

      This Note is executed and delivered by the Company pursuant and subject to
that certain Purchase Agreement between the Company and the Investors (as that
term is defined therein) dated as of the date hereof (the "Purchase Agreement").
All capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the
Purchase Agreement.

2.    PAYMENT OF INTEREST.

      Interest shall accrue at the rate of 8.0% per annum (computed on the basis
of a 360-day year and twelve 30 day months), compounded annually, on the unpaid
principal amount of this Note outstanding from time to time and, to the extent
permitted by applicable law, on any interest which has not been paid on the date
on which it is due and payable until such time as payment therefor is actually
delivered to the holder of this Note. The first interest payment will be payable
on the last day of the second quarter following the Closing Date and paid in
quarterly installments thereafter, on the last day of the applicable month.

3.    PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL ON NOTE.

      The principal amount will be payable to the holder of this Note on the
third anniversary of the date hereof (the "Maturity Date"); provided that if an
Event of Default occurs (as defined
<PAGE>
in Section 9), the Maturity Date shall be immediately upon the demand of the
holder of this Note as further set forth in Section 10.

4.    TIME AND MANNER OF PAYMENTS.

      All payments on account of indebtedness evidenced by this Note shall be
made not later than 11:00 a.m. (Pacific time) on the day when due in lawful
money of the United States, or, if that day is not a Business Day, the payment
shall be due on the next succeeding Business Day, and the extension of time
shall be taken into account in calculating the amount of interest payable under
this Note. "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or legal
holiday in the State of Illinois. All payments under this Note shall be applied
first to accrued interest and then to outstanding principal. Such payments are
to be made at such place as the legal holder of the Notes may, from time to
time, designate to the Company in writing.

5.    SEVERABILITY.

      The illegality or unenforceability of any provision of this Note shall not
in any way affect or impair the legality or enforceability of the remaining
provisions of this Note.

6.    NO PREPAYMENT.

      The Company shall not be permitted to prepay the whole or any part of the
outstanding principal sum of this Note.

7.    SUBORDINATION.

      7.1   OBLIGATIONS SUBORDINATED TO SENIOR DEBT. Notwithstanding any
provision of this Note to the contrary, the Company covenants and agrees, and
the holder of this Note and any subsequent holder of this Note, by accepting
this Note, likewise covenants and agrees, that all amounts owing, whether due or
to become due, under this Note (the "Note Obligations") shall be subordinated to
the extent set forth in this Section 7 to the prior payment of the Senior Debt
(as defined below) in full when due, in cash or cash equivalents satisfactory to
the holders of such Senior Debt. This Section 7 shall constitute a continuing
offer to and covenant with all persons who become holders of, or continue to
hold, Senior Debt (irrespective of whether such Senior Debt was created or
acquired concurrently or after the issuance of this Note). The provisions of
this Section 7 are made for the benefit of all present and future holders of
Senior Debt, if any (and their successors and assigns), and shall be enforceable
by them directly against every holder of this Note.

      7.2   PRIORITY AND PAYMENT OVER OF PROCEEDS IN CERTAIN EVENTS.

            (a)   Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company,
      whether in cash, property, securities or otherwise, in the event of any
      dissolution, winding up or total or partial liquidation, reorganization,
      arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief or composition, or assignment
      for the benefit of creditors of the Company, whether voluntary or
      involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, reorganization,
      relief or other proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of
      creditors or any other marshalling of all or part of the assets and
      liabilities of the Company, including, but not


                                      -2-
<PAGE>
      limited to, upon the occurrence of any of the events described in Section
      9.3, 9.4 or 9.5, (the foregoing events herein collectively referred to as
      an "Insolvency Event"), all Senior Debt shall first be paid in full, in
      cash, or payment provided for in cash equivalents in a manner satisfactory
      to the holders of Senior Debt, before the holder of this Note or any
      subsequent holder of this Note shall be entitled to receive any payment or
      distribution of assets of the Company for application to any of the Note
      Obligations. Upon any Insolvency Event, any payment or distribution of
      assets of the Company, whether in cash, property, securities or otherwise,
      to which the holder of this Note or any subsequent holder of this Note
      would be entitled on account of the Note Obligations, except for the
      provisions of this Section 7, shall be made by the Company or by any
      receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other
      person making such payment or distribution, directly to the holders of the
      Senior Debt or their representatives for application to the payment or
      prepayment of all such Senior Debt in full after giving effect to any
      concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of such Senior Debt.

            (b)   If there has occurred and is continuing a default in (i) the
      payment of all or any portion of any Senior Debt, or (ii) compliance by
      the Company with any covenant under the Senior Debt, unless and until such
      default shall have been cured or waived, the Company shall not make any
      payment on or with respect to any Note Obligations or acquire this Note
      (or any portion thereof) for cash, property, securities or otherwise and
      the holder of this Note shall not receive from the Company, directly or
      indirectly, any payment or distribution on account of the Note
      Obligations. The failure to make any payment with respect to the Note
      Obligations by reason of the provisions of this Section 7.2 shall not be
      construed as preventing the occurrence of an Event of Default; provided
      that any acceleration of payment of the Note Obligations resulting
      therefrom shall be automatically rescinded if and when all of the
      following conditions shall be simultaneously satisfied within 90 days
      after notice to the Company and the holders of the Senior Debt of the
      occurrence of such payment default: (i) the payment, the failure of which
      gave rise to the Event of Default is made and (ii) no other Event of
      Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

            (c)   If, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions prohibiting
      payments or distributions, any holder hereof receives any payment of, or
      on account of, any Obligations that were prohibited by this Section 7,
      before all Senior Debt shall have been paid in full, then and in such
      event such payments or distributions shall be received and held in trust
      for the holders of the Senior Debt and promptly paid over or delivered to
      the holders of the Senior Debt remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to
      pay in full, in cash or cash equivalents satisfactory to the holders of
      the Senior Debt, such Senior Debt after giving effect to any concurrent
      payment or distribution to the holder of such Senior Debt, provided, that
      any such payment which is, for any reason, not so paid over or delivered
      shall be held in trust by such holder for the holders of Senior Debt.

      7.3   RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF SENIOR DEBT NOT TO BE IMPAIRED, ETC.

            (a)   No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Debt to
      enforce the subordination and other terms and conditions provided herein
      shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or
      failure to act in good faith by any such


                                      -3-
<PAGE>
      holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company with the terms and
      provisions and covenants herein regardless of any knowledge thereof any
      such holder may have or otherwise be charged with.

            (b)   This Section 7 and the provisions of Section 2 may not be
      amended without the written consent of each holder of the Senior Debt, if
      any, and of the holder of this Note, and any purported amendment without
      such consent shall be void. No holder of Senior Debt shall be prejudiced
      in such holder's right to enforce the subordination and other terms and
      conditions of this Note by any act or failure to act by the Company or
      anyone in custody of their respective assets or property.

      7.4   SUBROGATION. No payment of or distribution of or with respect to the
Senior Debt pursuant to the provisions of this Note shall entitle the holder of
this Note to exercise any rights of subrogation in respect thereof until the
Senior Debt shall have been paid and satisfied in full. After the payment of the
Senior Debt in full and provided no payments are voidable, the holder of this
Note shall be subrogated to the rights of the holder or holders of the Senior
Debt to receive distributions applicable to the Senior Debt to the extent the
distributions otherwise payable to the holder of this Note have been applied to
the payment of the Senior Debt.

      7.5   OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY UNCONDITIONAL. Nothing contained in this
Note is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company and the holders of
this Note, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional,
to pay to the holder of this Note all Note Obligations as and when the same
shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or to affect the
relative rights of the holders of the Senior Debt, the holder of this Note, any
subsequent holder of this Note and other creditors of the Company (other than
the holders of Senior Debt).

      7.6   ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF THE SENIOR DEBT. If the Senior Debt
has not been paid in full, in cash or cash equivalents satisfactory to the
holders of the Senior Debt, at the time the Company is subject to an Insolvency
Event, the holders of the Senior Debt are hereby irrevocably authorized, but
shall have no obligation, to demand, sue for, collect and receive every payment
or distribution received in respect of any such Insolvency Proceeding and give
acquittance therefor. Furthermore, in connection with any Insolvency Event, the
holders of Senior Debt are irrevocably authorized to file a proof of claim for
or collect the holder of this Note's claims hereunder first for the benefit of
the holders of Senior Debt to the extent thereof and then for the benefit of
holder of this Note (but without creating any duty or liability to the holder of
this Note other than to remit to the holder of this Note distributions, if any,
actually received in such proceedings after the Senior Debt has been paid and
satisfied in full).

      7.7   SENIOR DEBT CHANGES. "Senior Debt" means an amount owing by the
Company, including principal, interest (including any interest accruing during
any bankruptcy proceeding), premium, if any, fees (including, without
limitation, any commitment, agency, facility, structuring, restructuring or
other fee), costs, expenses and indemnities, from time to time for indebtedness
for borrowed money under notes, debentures or other evidence of indebtedness
issued to, or agreements with, a bank, financial institution, institutional
investor, investment fund or other lender for the purpose of obtaining working
or permanent capital for the Company, which amount and repayment terms thereof
have been designated by the Company in writing as


                                      -4-
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of the date hereof to the holder of this Note as "Senior Debt". The holder of
this Note hereby waives any and all notice of renewal, extension or accrual of
any of the Senior Debt, present or future, and agrees and consents that without
notice to or consent of the holder of this Note: (a) the obligations and
liabilities of the Company or any other party or parties under the Senior Debt
may, from time to time, in whole or in part, be renewed, refinanced, replaced,
increased, extended, refunded, modified, amended, accelerated, compromised,
supplemented, terminated, decreased, sold, exchanged, waived, or released; (b)
the holders of Senior Debt and their representatives may exercise or refrain
from exercising any right, remedy or power granted by any document creating or
evidencing the Senior Debt or at law, in equity, or otherwise, with respect to
the Senior Debt or in connection with any collateral security or lien (legal or
equitable) held, given or intended to be given therefor (including, without
limitation, the right to perfect any lien or security interest created in
connection therewith); and (c) any and all collateral security and/or liens
(legal or equitable) at any time, present or future, held, given or intended to
be given for the Senior Debt, and any rights or remedies of the holders of
Senior Debt and their representatives in respect thereof, may, from time to
time, in whole or in part, be exchanged, sold, surrendered, released, modified,
perfected, unperfected, waived or extended by the holders of Senior Debt and
their representatives.

      7.8   EXECUTION OF SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT. The holder of this Note agrees
that, upon the request of any holder of Senior Debt, it may execute and deliver
a subordination agreement for the benefit of such holder of Senior Debt (in form
reasonably acceptable to the holder of this Note and its counsel) reflecting the
terms of this Section 7; provided, however that the foregoing shall not require
holder of this Note to execute or deliver any agreement which provides for
additional terms of subordination or otherwise adversely modifying (whether by
change, addition or deletion) the terms hereof.

      7.9   COSTS. In addition to all unpaid principal and accrued interest due
and payable hereunder, the Company agrees to pay to the holder of this Note upon
demand all reasonable costs and expenses incurred (including, without limitation
reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) in connection with (i) the enforcement
of the terms of this Note, (ii) any proposed refinancing, restructuring, or
work-out of the credit evidenced hereby, and (iii) in collecting any obligations
under this Note through reorganization, bankruptcy or any other proceeding.

8.    CONVERSION.

      8.1   AUTOMATIC CONVERSION.

            (a)   If at any time on or before the payment or voluntary
      conversion of this Note the Company closes a Qualified Financing (as
      defined below), then the outstanding principal amount of this Note,
      together with all accrued and unpaid interest on this Note, will
      automatically convert into such number of shares of the type of Equity
      Securities (as defined below) sold in such Qualified Financing determined
      by dividing such principal and interest amount by the lesser of (i) the
      price at which such Equity Securities are sold or (ii) the Conversion
      Price (as defined in Section 8.5) in effect on the date of such closing.
      The conversion will be deemed to have occurred as of the date of such
      closing. The holder of this Note shall be granted the same registration
      rights and privileges as the other investors in such Qualified Financing,
      provided that the holder agrees in writing to


                                      -5-
<PAGE>
      be bound by the registration rights provisions of the definitive stock
      purchase agreement executed by the other investors in the Qualified
      Financing. The Company will notify the holder of this Note in writing of
      the terms of any such Qualified Financing at least five business days
      before the closing of such Qualified Financing. "Equity Securities" means
      the Company's common stock, $.01 par value ("Common Stock"), or any equity
      securities of the Company convertible, exercisable or exchangeable into
      shares of Common Stock sold by the Company in a Qualified Financing.
      "Qualified Financing" means the sale by the Company of Equity Securities
      in a private placement to institutional investors with aggregate gross
      proceeds (not including any conversion of debt, including this Note, into
      equity) of an amount equal to or greater than $5,000,000.

            (b)   If, at any time after December 11, 2003 (provided that this
      Note has not been previously converted pursuant to paragraph (a) above or
      otherwise), (i) the last sale price of the Common Stock on The Nasdaq
      National Market or on any other nationally recognized securities exchange
      or quotation system on which the Common Stock is then listed for trading
      has exceeded 300% of the then applicable Conversion Price for 30
      consecutive trading days and (ii) during such 30 consecutive trading day
      period the average weekly trading volume of the Common Stock was at least
      200,000 shares, then the principal amount of this Note, together with all
      accrued and unpaid interest on this Note, will automatically convert into
      such number of shares of Common Stock determined by dividing such
      principal and interest amount by the then applicable Conversion Price.

      8.2   CONVERSION AT THE ELECTION OF THE HOLDER. The holder of this Note
shall have the right, at any time, to convert this Note, in whole or in part,
into such number of shares of Common Stock determined by dividing the
outstanding principal amount of this Note by the Conversion Price in effect on
the date of conversion.

      8.3   CONVERSION PROCEDURE IN THE EVENT OF CONVERSION. In the event of
automatic conversion pursuant to Section 8.1, the outstanding principal amount
of this Note, together with all accrued and unpaid interest on this Note, will
convert automatically without any further action by the Company whether or not
this Note is surrendered to the Company or its transfer agent. In the event of
elected conversion pursuant to Section 8.2, on the day of receipt by the Company
of written notice, or such other date set forth in such notice on which
conversion is to be effected, from the holder of this Note of elected conversion
the portion of this Note specified in such notice to be converted shall be
deemed converted. The Company will not be obligated to issue certificates
evidencing the securities issuable upon any automatic or elected conversion of
this Note unless this Note is either delivered to the Company or its transfer
agent, or the holder of this Note notifies the Company or its transfer agent
that this Note has been lost, stolen, or destroyed and executes an agreement
reasonably satisfactory to the Company to indemnify the Company from any loss
incurred by it in connection with this Note. At its expense and without charge
for any issuance tax, the Company will, as soon as practicable thereafter, issue
and deliver to the holder of this Note a certificate or certificates for the
number of shares to which the holder of this Note will be entitled upon such
conversion (bearing such legends as are required by applicable state and federal
securities laws in the opinion of counsel to the Company) in the name or names
and in such denomination or denominations as the holder has specified in
writing, together with a check payable to the holder of this Note for any cash
amounts payable as


                                      -6-
<PAGE>
described in Section 8.4. Upon conversion of this Note, the Company shall take
all such actions as are necessary in order to insure that the securities
issuable with respect to such conversion will be validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable. The Company will not close its books against the transfer of the
securities issued or issuable upon conversion of this Note in any manner which
interferes with the timely conversion of this Note.

      8.4   FRACTIONAL SHARES; INTEREST. No fractional shares shall be issued
upon conversion of this Note. In lieu of the Company issuing any fractional
shares to the holder of this Note upon the conversion of this Note, the Company
shall pay to the holder of this Note an amount in cash equal to the product
obtained by multiplying the Conversion Price applied to effect such conversion
by the fraction of a share not issued pursuant to the previous sentence. Upon
conversion of this Note in full and the payment of the amounts specified in this
Note, the Company shall be released from all its obligations and liabilities
under this Note.

      8.5   ADJUSTMENTS TO CONVERSION PRICE. For purposes of this Note, the
"Conversion Price" shall initially be $3.60 and shall be adjusted from time to
time in accordance with the provisions of this Section 8.5. The Conversion Price
shall be adjusted from time to time by the Company as follows:

            (a)   If the Company (i) declares a dividend, or makes a
      distribution, in shares of Common Stock, on any Common Stock, (ii)
      subdivides or reclassifies any outstanding Common Stock into a greater
      number of shares, (iii) combines any series of outstanding Common Stock
      into a smaller number of shares, (iv) pays a dividend or make a
      distribution on any Common Stock in shares of Capital Stock (as defined
      below) other than Common Stock or (v) issues by reclassification of Common
      Stock shares of Capital Stock, the conversion privilege and the Conversion
      Price in effect immediately prior thereto shall be adjusted so that the
      holder of any Notes thereafter surrendered for conversion shall be
      entitled to receive the number of shares of Common Stock or other Capital
      Stock which such holder would have owned or have been entitled to receive
      after the happening of any of the events described above had such Notes
      been converted immediately prior to the happening of such event. An
      adjustment made pursuant to this Section 8.5(a) shall become effective
      immediately after the record date in the case of a dividend or
      distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective
      date in the case of subdivision, combination or reclassification. Such
      adjustment shall be made successively whenever any event referred to above
      shall occur. If such dividend, distribution, subdivision, reclassification
      or combination is not so made, the conversion privilege and the Conversion
      Price then in effect shall be readjusted to the conversion privilege and
      the Conversion Price which would then be in effect if such dividend,
      distribution, subdivision, reclassification or combination had not been
      declared or made, but such readjustment shall not affect the number of
      shares of Common Stock or other shares of Capital Stock delivered upon any
      conversion prior to the date such readjustment is made.

            (b)   If the Company issues any shares of Common Stock (or any
      rights, warrants, options or convertible securities entitling the holders
      thereof to subscribe for or purchase any shares of Common Stock or any
      stock appreciation rights entitling the holders thereof to any interest in
      an increase in value of shares of Common Stock) at a


                                      -7-
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      price per share less than the Conversion Price in effect on the date of
      such issuance, then the Conversion Price shall be adjusted to equal such
      lesser price. An adjustment made pursuant to this Section 8.5(b) shall
      become effective immediately upon the effective date of such issuance.
      Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever any shares, rights,
      warrants, options, convertible securities are issued at an effective price
      per share of Common Stock that is less than the Conversion Price in effect
      on the date of such issuance. To the extent that any such rights,
      warrants, options or convertible securities expire unexercised, the
      Conversion Price then in effect shall be readjusted to the Conversion
      Price which then would be in effect if such rights, options, warrants or
      convertible securities had not been issued, but such readjustment shall
      not affect the number of shares of Common Stock or other shares of Capital
      Stock delivered upon any conversion prior to the date such readjustment is
      made.

            (c)   Anything in this Section 8.5 to the contrary notwithstanding,
      the Company shall be entitled to make such reductions in the Conversion
      Price, in addition to those required by this Section 8.5, as it in its
      reasonable discretion determines to be advisable in order that any stock
      dividends, subdivision of shares, distribution of rights to purchase stock
      or securities, or distribution of securities convertible into or
      exchangeable for stock hereafter made by the Company to its stockholders,
      is not taxable.

            (d)   Whenever the Conversion Price is adjusted as provided in this
      Section 8.5, or the Notes become convertible into shares of stock,
      securities, property or assets pursuant to Section 8.5(i), the Company
      shall prepare a notice of such adjustment of the Conversion Price setting
      forth the adjusted Conversion Price and the date on which such adjustment
      becomes effective, and setting forth in reasonable detail the facts
      requiring such adjustment and the calculation of such adjustment, and
      shall mail such notice of adjustment to all holders of Notes at their last
      addresses appearing on the transfer records of the Company.

            (e)   In any case in which this Section 8.5 provides that an
      adjustment shall become effective immediately after a record date for an
      event, the Company may defer until the occurrence of such event (i)
      issuing to the holder of any Notes converted after such record date and
      before the occurrence of such event the additional shares of Common Stock
      issuable upon such conversion by reason of the adjustment required by such
      event over and above the Common Stock issuable upon such conversion before
      giving effect to such adjustment, and (ii) paying to such holder any
      amount in cash in lieu of any fractional share of Common Stock pursuant to
      Section 8.4.

            (f)   For purposes of any computations pursuant to this Section 8.5,
      respecting consideration received, the following shall apply:

                  (i)   in the case of the issuance of shares of Capital Stock
            for cash, the consideration shall be the amount of such cash,
            provided that in no case shall any deduction be made for any
            commissions, discounts or other expenses incurred by the Company for
            any underwriting of the issue or otherwise in connection therewith;


                                      -8-
<PAGE>
                  (ii)  in the case of the issuance of shares of Capital Stock
            for a consideration in whole or in part other than cash, the
            consideration other than cash shall be deemed to be the fair market
            value thereof as reasonably determined in good faith by the
            Company's Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof
            (irrespective of the accounting treatment thereof), and described in
            a resolution of the Company's Board of Directors or such committee;
            and

                  (iii) in the case of the issuance of securities convertible
            into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of Capital Stock, the
            aggregate consideration received therefor shall be deemed to be the
            consideration received by the Company for the issuance of such
            securities plus the additional minimum consideration, if any, to be
            received by the Company upon the conversion or exchange thereof (the
            consideration in each case to be determined in the same manner as
            provided in clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 8.5(f)).

            (g)   If after an adjustment a holder of Notes may, upon conversion
      of such Notes receive shares of two or more classes of Capital Stock, the
      Company shall determine on a fair basis the allocation of the adjusted
      Conversion Price between the classes of Capital Stock. After such
      allocation, the conversion privilege and the Conversion Price of each
      class of Capital Stock shall thereafter be subject to adjustment on terms
      comparable to those applicable to Common Stock set forth in this Note.

            (h)   In no event shall an adjustment pursuant to this Section 8.5
      reduce the Conversion Price below the then par value, if any, of the
      shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of shares of the Notes.

            (i)   If any of the following events occur, namely (i) any
      reclassification or change of outstanding shares of Common Stock issuable
      upon conversion of Notes (other than a change in par value, or from par
      value to no par value, or from no par value to par value, or as a result
      of a subdivision or combination), (ii) any consolidation or merger of the
      Company with another Person shall be effected as a result of which holders
      of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of shares of Notes shall be
      entitled to receive stock, securities or other property or assets
      (including cash) with respect to or in exchange for such Common Stock, or
      (iii) any sale or conveyance of the properties and assets of the Company
      as, or substantially as, an entirety to any other Person, then the Company
      or such successor or purchasing Person, as the case may be, shall provide
      that each Note then outstanding shall be convertible into the kind and
      amount of shares of stock and other securities or property or assets
      (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, change,
      consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance by a holder of the number of
      shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such Notes immediately
      prior to such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, sale or
      conveyance. Such provisions shall provide for adjustments which shall be
      as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments provided for
      in this Section 8.5. If this Section 8.5(i) applies with respect to a
      transaction, Sections 8.5(a)-(h) above shall not apply with respect to
      that transaction. The above provisions of this Section 8.5(i) shall
      similarly apply to successive reclassifications, consolidations, mergers
      and sales.


                                      -9-
<PAGE>
            (j)   For purposes of this Section 8.5, "Capital Stock" means any
      and all shares, rights to purchase, warrants, options, convertible
      securities, participation or other equivalents of or interests (other than
      security interests) in (however designed and whether voting or nonvoting)
      corporate stock.

9.    EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

      The occurrence of any one of the following shall constitute an "Event of
Default" hereunder:

      (a)   the failure of the Company to pay any part of the principal of, or
interest on, this Note when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, or
otherwise, which such failure shall continue for a period of ten days following
such due date;

      (b)   the default by the Company in the performance or observance in any
material respect of any covenant, agreement or condition contained in the
Purchase Agreement or this Note which default shall continue for a period of 30
days following the date of delivery of a notice by the holder of this Note to
the Company that such default has occurred and is continuing;

      (c)   the Company (i) applies for or consent to the appointment of, or the
taking of possession by, a receiver, custodian, trustee or liquidator of itself
or of all or a substantial part of its property, (ii) is generally unable to pay
its debts as such debts become due, (iii) makes a general assignment for the
benefit of its creditors, (iv) commence a voluntary case under any bankruptcy or
similar law (as now or hereafter in effect), (v) files a petition seeking to
take advantage of any other law providing for the relief of debtors, (vi) fails
to controvert in a timely manner, or acquiesce in writing to, any petition filed
against it in an involuntary case under any bankruptcy or similar law, (vii)
admits in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as such debts become
due, or (viii) takes any action under the laws of its jurisdiction of
organization analogous to any of the foregoing;

      (d)   a proceeding or case is commenced against the Company in any court
of competent jurisdiction, seeking (i) the liquidation, reorganization,
dissolution, winding up or composition or readjustment of its debts, (ii) the
appointment of a trustee, receiver, custodian, liquidator or the like of it or
of all of any substantial part of its assets, or (iii) similar relief in respect
of it, under any bankruptcy or similar law and such proceeding or case shall
continue undismissed, or unstayed and in effect, for a period of 60 days; or any
action under the laws or the jurisdiction of organization of such entity
analogous to any of the foregoing shall be taken with respect to such entity and
shall continue undismissed, or unstayed and in effect, for a period of 60 days;

      (e)   all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or any
material portion thereof, are attached, seized, subject to a writ of distress
warrant, or levied upon, or comes into the possession of any receiver, trustee,
custodian or assignee for the benefit of creditors, and the same is not vacated,
stayed, dismissed or set aside within 30 days after the occurrence thereof;

      (f)   a material default occurs under any agreement, document or
instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company or any of its
property is bound, and such


                                      -10-
<PAGE>
default (i) involves the failure to make any payment (whether of principal,
interest or otherwise) due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment,
acceleration, demand or otherwise) in respect of any indebtedness of the Company
resulting from any borrowings, loans, or advances in an aggregate amount
exceeding $500,000, or (ii) causes (or permits any holder of such indebtedness
or a trustee to cause) such indebtedness or a portion thereof in an aggregate
amount exceeding $500,000, to become due prior to its stated maturity or prior
to its regularly scheduled dates of payment and, in each case, any grace period
applicable thereto shall have expired, which such failure shall continue for a
period of 15 days following the expiration of such grace period, provided,
however that such 15 day period may be extended if the Company is then in good
faith substantive negotiations with the holder or trustee of such indebtedness;

      (g)   a final judgment or judgments for the payment of money in excess of
$500,000 in the aggregate is rendered against the Company or all of them, and
the same shall not be bonded, paid or discharged within 30 days at all times
thereafter; or

      (h)   any of the representations and warranties made by the Company in the
Purchase Agreement are untrue in any material respect as of the Closing Date.

10.   REMEDIES UPON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT.

      (a)   Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in Section
9.3, 9.4 or 9.5, the Note Obligations shall automatically become immediately due
and payable, without presentment, demand, notice, declaration, protest or other
requirements of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the
Company, and the holder of this Note shall have all of the rights and remedies
conferred upon the holder of this Note at law or in equity.

      (b)   If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the holder
of this Note may send a notice to the Company and, if any Senior Debt shall then
be outstanding, a copy to the holders of the Senior Debt, stating that such
notice is a "Notice of Intent to Accelerate" and declaring that the principal of
and accrued interest and all other amounts due and owing under this Note (if not
then due and payable) shall become due and payable as provided in the next
sentence. If at the time such notice is given, there is no Senior Debt
outstanding, the principal of and accrued interest under this Note shall be due
and payable immediately. If at the time such Notice is given, there is Senior
Debt outstanding, and the holders of the Senior Debt have not otherwise agreed,
the principal of and accrued interest due under this Note plus the Prepayment
Fee shall become due and payable on the 180th day after such notice is given,
provided that if such Event of Default is cured or duly waived on or before such
180th day, such notice and its consequences shall be deemed to be rescinded and
annulled. Upon such declaration (and, if applicable, the expiration of such 180
day period) the principal and interest due under this Note plus the Prepayment
Fee shall be due and payable immediately without any presentment, demand,
protest or notice to the Company, all of which the Company expressly waived.

      (c)   Subject to the preceding provisions of this Section 10, if an Event
of Default occurs and is continuing, the holder of this Note may pursue an
action at law, suit in equity or other appropriate proceeding to collect the
payment of principal of or interest on this Note or to enforce the performance
of any provision of this Note.


                                      -11-
<PAGE>
11.   CERTAIN WAIVERS.

      The Company hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and
notice of protest and demand, dishonor and nonpayment of this Note, and
expressly agrees that this Note, or any payment hereunder, may be extended from
time to time and that the holder hereof may accept security for this Note or
release security for this Note, all without in any way affecting the liability
of the Company hereunder.

12.   AMENDMENT AND WAIVER.

      The provisions of this Note may be amended and the Company may take any
action herein prohibited, or omit to perform any act herein required to be
performed by it, only if the Company has obtained the written consent of the
holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding;
provided, however, that the written consent of all holders of the Notes then
outstanding shall be required for any amendment, action or omission relating to
or regarding the terms regarding payment of the Notes.

13.   CANCELLATION.

      After all principal and accrued interest at any time owed on this Note has
been paid in full, this Note shall be surrendered to the Company for
cancellation and shall not be reissued.

14.   REMEDIES CUMULATIVE.

      Each holder of this Note shall also have any other rights that such holder
may have been afforded under any contract or agreement at any time and any other
rights which such holder may have pursuant to applicable law. No remedy herein
conferred upon the holder of this Note is intended to be exclusive of any other
remedy, and each and every such remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in
addition to every other remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at
law or in equity or by statute or otherwise.

15.   REMEDIES NOT WAIVED.

      No course of dealing between the Company and the holder of this Note or
any delay on the part of the holder hereof in exercising any rights hereunder
shall operate as a waiver of any right of the holder of this Note.

16.   TRANSFER.

      This Note is subject to further transfer restrictions set forth in Section
5 of the Purchase Agreement.

17.   APPLICABLE LAW.

      Company represents and agrees that this instrument and the rights and
obligations of all parties hereunder shall be governed by and construed under
the laws of the State of Illinois without regard to the conflicts of law
principles of such State.


                                      -12-
<PAGE>
18.   WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

      The Company and the holder of this Note each hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally waives any and all rights to trial by jury with respect to any
legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Note or the Purchase
Agreement or any other instrument or document delivered hereunder or any
transaction contemplated thereby.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Subordinated Convertible
Note to be signed as of the date first written above.

                                    SSP SOLUTIONS, INC.,
                                    a Delaware corporation


                                    By: /s/ Richard Depew
                                       _________________________________________
                                       Richard Depew, President

                                    By: /s/ Thomas E. Schiff
                                       _________________________________________
                                       Thomas E. Schiff, Chief Financial Officer


                                      -13-