The battlefield is becoming digital, and ground forces are increasingly relying on computers worn by soldiers or embedded in vehicles. These systems must withstand extreme conditions while integrating the best design solutions from the civilian world
Vehicle computers are used for a variety of tasks, from situational awareness to data collection and surveillance, from communications to tracking one's forces. Many of these systems, mounted in standard racks, operate independently of the user in a variety of ways; they often do not resemble in any way the computers we are used to with a display and a keyboard.
Standards
According to Brian Reinhart, CTO for Special Projects at Crystal Group, a supplier of embedded computers and related products for mission-critical applications, there are a number of challenging problems associated with embedding computers in vehicles. For example, many of the applications must operate in an environment that does not allow for traditional cooling technology, which means that "we must create a system that can survive the elevated temperatures without the aid of fans." In addition, computers often need to be placed in places that do not fit into the dimensions of a standard EIA-310 server rack (482.6 mm), which has become a familiar element in the world of commercial computers. This means that companies like Crystal must create systems of a certain size or “form factor” that can operate in a limited amount. “They have to be shaped to fit into any volume available on the platform, be it the fender or the engine compartment of a vehicle. They can be placed on the floor of the car or next to the fuel tank."
In addition, "some airborne systems need to operate at lower input voltages than usual," he explained, "in order to meet MIL-STD-1275, one of the US Department of Defense's suite of military standards that defines design and construction. similar systems ". This means that companies must design energy supplies to meet these standards. If there is no corresponding off-the-shelf commercial technology that could be adapted to operate in adverse conditions, then "we develop and deploy our own and integrate it in the tasks we need."
Today, computers play a significant role in the operation of most ground vehicles, noted the chief technologist of the American company General Micro Systems, which produces small-sized embedded products, rugged smart displays, server racks and other computer systems and participates in a number of large programs, for example, supplies its products for armored vehicles. of the Stryker family of the American army. As an example, he cited systems that allow the operator, looking at the monitors, to control the machine in complete darkness in real time. "These computers are housed in small, rugged blocks."
“This technology, along with several others, has exploded in recent years,” said David Yedinak, chief technology officer for Curtiss-Wright, which supplies embedded computers for ground vehicles and rugged displays. He drew attention to the growing trend of "distributed data processing", where computers are increasingly networked together rather than operating as separate systems. Programs such as the UK's GVA (Generic Vehicle Architecture) or the American equivalent of Victory are reinforcing this trend and, as a result, will lead to "reduction in size, weight, energy consumption and cost through data distribution." … Yedinak pointed to a number of other development paths, especially noting advances in data processing technology. Overall, one of the biggest military challenges facing companies like Curtiss-Wright is the challenge of modernization: it is necessary to embed new computer technologies, while realizing that they will work side by side with other, older systems. that may not be updated for another decade. "How do you bring these two worlds together?"
Unfavourable conditions
Rugged computers are designed to withstand extreme conditions and must therefore meet a number of stringent standards. In addition to the MIL-STD-1275 standard, the US Department of Defense also has in its arsenal the MIL-STD-810 standard, which defines the requirements for resistance to shock and vibration, and MIL-STD-461, which determines the immunity to electromagnetic radiation. “These three standards are at the heart of all testing, although there are also many specific tests that are run as needed,” said Mike Southworth, project manager for rugged small form factor computers at Curtiss-Wright. As for small form factor embedded computers, he believes that with the growing demand for autonomy, military computers will increasingly use machine learning and other forms of artificial intelligence. He predicts the emergence of embedded computers with "significantly stronger intelligence", with more data collection capacities. Robust and reliable construction is also an integral feature of the displays used to present images and information to the vehicle crew. Argon has several such displays in its portfolio, and has recently completed trials of three new products that it plans to launch into mass production soon.
Reinhart said he expects to see higher levels of security on computers, especially as they become part of a wider network. "As the bandwidth of the network increases, there is a need to improve its security." He also drew attention to the widespread use of solid state drives or flash drives (English Solid State Drive, SSD). Unlike conventional hard drives, they have no moving parts, making them less vulnerable to damage caused by strong impacts such as being dropped. SSDs were originally priced higher, but prices have dropped significantly in recent years, with the drives themselves becoming smaller and their capacity increasing. “This is of great importance for applications such as data collection and storage,” he added. The SSD is also an integral part of ruggedized laptop computers and tablets, which are now the dismounted soldier's primary tool and can also be integrated into vehicles. Many of the major personal computer manufacturers are also developing for the military. For example, Dell offers a range of rugged Latitude Rugged computers in a variety of shapes and sizes. “In the past five to ten years, the industry has made great strides with SSD technology,” said Umang Patel, director of Dell Rugged, noting that SSDs are robust in environmental resilience and superior performance. “I can install more in less space with it consumes less power and launches applications faster."
There are also a number of areas to consider when manufacturing rugged computing devices. Patel pointed out the perennial problems associated with temperature; Installing a fan to cool a computer system creates a source of contamination and mechanical moving parts that the system relies on to operate. Ruggedized computer manufacturers, therefore, should consider other ways to cool the system, including passive systems, as well as more powerful fans designed for harsh environments. “I have to cool the system, but at the same time I have to protect it from dust, water and other harmful factors. I have to provide this for a very long period of time with greater reliability. " According to Jackson White, director of Getac, which makes rugged tablets, laptops and other systems, before considering any device for military use, it is necessary to find out if it meets certain standards. “Data protection is undoubtedly a priority, but reliability and resiliency are also needed to withstand adverse or even extreme environmental conditions, plus compatibility with other essential technologies used by personnel. There are other factors, such as cost, ease of use, suitability for the intended use and, finally, service life."
White believes that ruggedized devices must withstand not only drops, shocks, vibrations, water and chemicals, but also extreme scenarios such as a desert with its scorching temperatures. He announced that his company's products are IP67 (International Protection Marking) or higher; this means that "they are tested to military standards and are capable of withstanding the drops and temperatures specified by the military customer." He noted a number of other aspects of the technology related to military users. For example, dismounted soldiers often need to wear protective clothing, including gloves, so touch screens must be sensitive to them. In addition, the screen must be clearly visible in different lighting conditions or compatible with night vision goggles. White noted several directions in which technology has evolved in recent years. For example, in recent years, many innovations have been introduced in civilian devices, breakthrough solutions have been implemented, and therefore "the military wants the industry in the systems developed for them to use all this more boldly in order to achieve better interaction and increase efficiency in a combat situation."
Battery technology
Meanwhile, batteries are getting more powerful, lasting eight to ten hours, while also improving connectivity and, according to White, “With a variety of frequencies and connection methods at their disposal, personnel can access and enter data faster with a higher level of security”. There is some progress in touch screen technology, and the use of composite plastic allows "to significantly reduce the thickness and weight of devices while maintaining strength characteristics."
John Tucker, Head of Europe for Panasonic, noted that they use a variety of materials, such as magnesium alloys, to manufacture their line of ruggedized Toughbook laptops and notebooks. They are 20 times stronger than ABS plastic (ABS, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene - acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), but relatively light. In addition, there are materials designed to reduce shock loads. Among them, he named an elastomeric polymer, which, for example, absorbs most of the impact when dropped. Manufacturers also pay great attention to the internals of their systems. For example, they make extensive use of gold-plated connectors to avoid high humidity rust and other problems. “Even if you use your systems in low and high temperatures, high humidity, rain and snow, you shouldn't have the slightest corrosion.”
A spokesperson for ruggedized tablet maker Xplore said combat conditions dictate the need for reliability and resistance to temperature extremes, rain and dust. He also named the range of tasks that the military tablet should solve. "He has to do almost anything you can imagine, like trucking, logistics and construction." In recent years, military customers have been looking for smaller, more functional devices. Looking forward, "they are integrating tablets and other wearable computing devices into an integrated communications and information supersystem." In this regard, Tucker pointed to the emergence of the concept of the "connected soldier" and the fact that Panasonic is working in this direction with several European military structures. In fact, this will allow commanders to have comprehensive information about the war zone, down to the health status of each soldier. This could spur demand for wearable and even voice-activated technology.
One of the main directions in the development of military computer systems is the use of modern commercial technologies, of course, while maintaining the reliability required on the battlefield. For example, the ease of use of smartphones, laptops and tablets, which a soldier could use in his civilian life, is important. Tucker said there is a kind of interchange between the military and civilian spheres, although nowadays, in many cases, technology is flowing into the defense sector. “It is important to take technologies that are popular in the civilian sphere and make them suitable for military tasks. However, this process must be extremely meaningful. It would seem to take the USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector. What is special about it? But the military needs reliable, dustproof and waterproof USB connectors.”
Beyond the cost
Getac integrates the convenience and functionality of commercial systems into all of its ruggedized mobile devices. White noted that "this is one of the main requirements of military customers when choosing their suppliers." Balance is needed, he said, as civilian devices "will inevitably not be robust enough or robust enough to meet the demands of dismounted soldiers or the conditions in which they have to work." On the other hand, some specific devices with a large margin of safety may be too heavy and cumbersome. “To truly match military (command and control functions) operational tasks and technical re-equipment goals, defense procurement should focus on the acquisition of new off-the-shelf commercial hardware and software and even applications such as the Internet of Things (the ability to establish communication between electronic devices without the participation of computers). A new generation of off-the-shelf commercial devices with increased reliability can strike the right balance because they are lightweight, powerful, easy to use, and meet stringent security and data transfer standards.”
