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

Quick function keys allow the stealth mode to be instigated, allowing
users to rapidly change the status of the device.
These options illustrate the devices’ inherent modularity, English
said. “This is modular device, in the sense that when we design
the computers, if you want to change something, we don’t have to
redesign the whole thing. To us the shell, keyboard, side panel and
displays are all modules we can change out.”
A more recent addition is the Tacter 31D tablet, which has dual
core processors.
Numerically, the most significant
product Elbit offers in the
United States is the handheld RPDA,
which is now in its fifth generation
since its beginnings in 2002. The
RPDA has since been used in variety
of roles, controlling unattended
ground sensors via Zigbee transceivers,
for example, while on the JTRS
GMR program, the RPDA replaced
a much larger control device. Other
versions have PCMCIA slots, SAASM
GPS and are Iridium capable.
“The concept behind this is that
is we want something where users
can change the mission without
buying an all-new unit, and as tech-
nology changes fast we wanted to
invest in some of the high dollar
items once and not have to reinvest
in them with each generation of the RPDA,” English said.
Users have a common display, with tailored back modules that
are forward and backwards compatible with every generation of
the RPDA’s display. “Because it is modular with four screws, we
allow the user take to the back off and put whatever back they
want on it,” English said. “PM Battle Command has three major
programs that use the same RPDA: the pocket sized forward
entry device, Centaur and the lightweight technical fire direction
system. PM BC has been buying those since 2002, and every
time they get a new front, they can take the whole back and plug
it on, so they have been using some of the same things we might
have sold originally in 2002 even though we have a brand new fifth
generation front.”
PanasonIC
Panasonic Solutions Company
has focused for more than two
decades on ensuring that its Toughbook
mobile computers will operate
successfully and reliably in a
range of harsh environments, while
maintaining technology links with
the commercial sector to leverage
development in ways that complement
warfighter requirements.
Fed de Gastyne, a federal
business development manager
with Panasonic Solutions
Company, outlined the recent
14 | MIT 15.1
The Toughbook U1 from Panasonic has equipped units in Iraq and Afghanistan.
[Photo courtesy of Panasonic Solutions Company]
Fed de Gastyne
fed.degastyne@us.panasonic.com
additions to the product line. In terms of small factor computing,
the Toughbook U1 Ultra has equipped units in Iraq and
Afghanistan. The Intel Atom powered Toughbook U1 Ultra is a
handheld, fully rugged, ultra-mobile personal computer with
a 5-inch screen that runs full operating systems, including
Windows 7.
De Gastyne describes it as the toughest Toughbook computer
that Panasonic has built to date, with improvements that also
extend to better performance in high sunlight. “Panasonic uses
circular polarization, which is a
process similar to polarized sunglasses.
This has helped to focus
and make the screen more readable.
We also have the ability to
change the NIT rating on our
devices for low light conditions
or to increase the NIT rating to
increase visibility in high sunshine
environments.”
The larger Toughbook H1
Field has a 10-inch screen and
a built-in CAC Card reader, for
the DoD Common Access Card
reader. Both devices use 64GB
SSDs, which add an additional
tier of ruggedness to the prod-
ucts. Both the Toughbook U1 and
Toughbook H1 Field are complemented
by more conventional products
such as the Toughbook 19, a fully rugged, convertible laptop
that has seen a lot of use in mission planning. “It also converts to
a fully rugged tablet and uses multi-touch technology so it can be
used not only with a stylus, but also with a gloved finger, which is
a warfighter requirement,” de Gastyne said.
The Toughbook 31 laptop, equipped with either the Intel i3
or i5 core processor, follows the earlier Toughbook 29 and
Toughbook 30 devices. It was designed to serve as a larger clamshell
type device, but is very rugged and is often mounted in military
vehicles.
Another example is the Toughbook Arbitrator 360, an in-car
digital video system that supports up to six cameras operating
simultaneously. This could be fitted to a police vehicle for number
plate recognition or military implementations.
“We are working with a number of U.S. military customers
who are considering using the Arbitrator 360 for force protection
by putting it up on a pedestal. This would provide them with a 360
degree view around a Stryker brigade or in a military police or
security vehicle,” de Gastyne said.
Panasonic tests all its Toughbook computers using the MIL-
STD-810G test suite. “The standard is invaluable,” de Gastyne
said, while cautioning that testing can be interpreted many
ways that affects the actual level of ruggedization and protection
it offers.
“We test all our devices, not only to MIL-STD-810G, but also
for the highest levels of ingress protection, to protect against the
damaging effects of sand, dust or liquids that warfighters often
find ruin their computers,” he said. “We typically use only one
computer to complete the full range of tests. We take this testing
very seriously.”
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