C4 Marine Brig. Gen. Kevin J. Nally - KMI Media Group

ments. If earlier DRS computing solutions for FBCB2 are included,
the total rises to over 150,000 rugged computers. The current JV-5
contract is in year four with options to continue to 2012.
“It is still the JV-5 same computer
we started delivering in year one of
our current contract—a 1.66Ghz
Core 2 Duo processor and a 160Gb
rotating hard drive or 128Gb solid
state drive,” said Bill Guyan, vice
president, programs and strategy
at DRS. “There is also space inside
the processor unit for expansion to
include, for example, a SAASM GPS,
something that has already been
qualified. This integration of the
Bill Guyan
SAASM GPA, which is testing with
the Marines from a usability stand-
bguyan@drs-ts.com
point, offers them the opportunity
to remove external hardware such as the DAGRs. We can distribute
the GPS signal from our box to other systems, so vehicles that
today have two to three GPS devices could go down to just one.
That is significant.”
Demand continues, as does a desire to adapt requirements to
emerging warfighter needs.
Guyan expects that there will be a competition at the end of
2011 for next generation vehicle systems that will be the first
vehicle procurement targeting the Joint Battle Command-Platform
(JBC-P).
While FBCB2 clearly garners considerable interest, other programs
have seen further DRS rugged computers reach the frontlines.
Guyan cites the example of the Joint Platform Tablet (JPT).
“In the two years since we received an order from PM Movement
Tracking System (MTS) for about 25,000 JPTs, various customers
have adopted the JPT for tactical operations, and it is now on 14
different programs of record for mounted and dismounted use,”
Gayan said. “The JPT uses exactly the same processor and hard
drive as the JV-5, resulting in minimal integration or interoperability
risk to the program office and enabling the eventual migration
of PM MTS into the FBCB2 program office. Today you have
common hardware in both the MTS and FBCB2, as these programs
are slated to merge next year with the MTS program moving from
PEO EIS to PEO C3T. I believe it positions us very well to help the
Army achieve its version of JBC-P and Unified Battle Command.”
Guyan explained that upgrades to the technology of both
devices as well as the underlying common architecture are both
under constant review, “Future potential product upgrades include
a next-generation processor featuring faster graphics processing,
larger hard drive and more I/O,” he said. “We haven’t had direction
yet from the customer as to the way they want to go. Part of the
challenge in fielding as many systems as we have is that we have
to constantly be prepared to refresh technology to keep the fleet
current.”
One area of change in ruggedization requirements is the move
from rotating to solid state hard drives. For example, all 25,000 JPTs
are delivered with 128GB SSD, although to date, only a very small
proportion of the JV-5s are being bought with a solid state drive.
Guyan believes the rugged market may eventually go over to SSDs
entirely, based on price as the benefits in terms of ruggedization
and other design advantages are already proven.
The Joint Platform Tablet Military Rugged Tablet from DRS Technologies is now on 14 programs of
record. [Photo courtesy of DRS Technologies]
“There is a point in time when everything will be solid state,”
Guyan said. “There won’t be a directive, but whenever the technology
price point meets the sweet spot, our customers will jump
on board. There are some new technologies that we are aware of
launching soon and we want to be early adopters. We always want to
offer best value capabilities—the latest, greatest technology available
at an affordable price point.”
elBIt systems of amerICa
The Tacter 31 rugged computing
family from Elbit Systems of
America is designed to provide all
the functionality of a laptop but in
an entirely sealed unit, sufficient
to deal with the toughest battlefield
environments, including being
able to continue operating while
submerged.
“The Tacter 31 family has been
Jim English around for a while [in the U.S. military]
and what we wanted to do is
jim.english@elbitsystems-us.com
to maintain as much backwards
compatibility as possible,” said
Jim English, vice president of C4I solutions for Elbit Systems of
America.
The Tacter 31M, an integral part of the CHS-3 program, consists
of a common computing module and the option of a 6.4 inch
or 10.4 inch display. Users opt between a keyboard or touch screen
to operate the device. In addition to the full range of normal ports
for the Tacter 31M, Elbit has added a Multi Media In Out port that
combines LAN, USB and just about anything else in an additional
multi-purpose port. “Not everyone carries an adapter with them,
and so I wanted them to have everything. It is also completely
sealed,” English explained.
The Tacter 31M houses a SAASM GPS and also has slots for
TacLink or IDM modems. Additional options have been provided
according to customer requirements. These have included the
addition of an L-band transceiver in order to interface with FBCB2.
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