Modular Tactical Computing

Black Diamond Advanced Technology has developed a modular tactical computing solution for the modern war fighter that reduces the size and weight of their overall equipment and logistics burden, integrates easily with their existing load-out, provides C4ISR on-the-move, and scales to their particular mission.

Our tactical system increases the war fighter’s mobility and lethality by allowing almost seamless transitions between ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) and combat. There's no need for the soldier to doff his gear before he can access his computer.

We haven’t designed just another box for the soldier to figure out how to carry. Instead, we’ve treated the soldier as a system and designed a solution that streamlines, enhances and centralizes all of his major subsystems – communications, situational awareness, hydration, body armor and battery power – by eliminating unnecessary bags, cables and batteries and by incorporating these subsystems into our tactical solution.

This means that our system replaces the war fighter’s laptop, SWC (soldier-wearable computer), radio control unit, Rover 5 and all the separate batteries and cables for each of those subsystems.

Over the past four years we have participated in multiple field trials with the U.S. Military and we’ve participated in key wearable computing systems with the U.S. Military and the Israeli Defense Force. The knowledge gained from these experiences has helped us form our unique approach to tactical computing and is embodied in the design of the Modular Tactical System.

SWaP3 – Size, Weight & Power, Performance, Price

SWaP: Size, Weight and Power. We have carefully considered these key factors when designing our tactical computing solution. But we didn’t stop there. In addition to Size, Weight and Power, we’ve taken into account field Performance and overall ensemble Price. SWaP is now SWaP3.

An effective tactical computing system must solve the SWaP3 puzzle. All of the pieces must be in place and perfectly balanced. Using a system that’s ultra light and inexpensive may seem great when you’re not in combat, but having a system that meets all requirements, including the ability to run critical software smoothly in the heat of battle, makes all the difference.

Reduced Size, Greater Agility

Reduced Equipment Footprint—By combining components like GPS, ISR feeds, computing and radio control, the overall equipment footprint of the soldier’s system is greatly reduced. This results in less cabling, a lower equipment failure rate and allows for a centralized power source and display.

The tactical display centralizes the soldier's feeds

Centralized Human-Machine Interface—Because components are integrated, the soldier now has access to navigation, communications, ISR feeds and situational awareness (SA) in one centralized display, be it a wrist-mounted, helmet-mounted or handheld display. This gives him a total view of the battlefield, allowing for more informed decisions, and yielding greater mission success while decreasing fratricide and civilian casualties.

Advanced Cable Management—With cables being the number one failure in the field, we’ve developed a patent-pending, user-adjustable cable management system that routes and protects cables, keeping them unseen and out of the way.

Increased Mobility and Lethality—With our system, the soldier can use C4ISR applications on-the-move. No longer must an operator doff his gear and wait to establish a security perimeter. He can quickly transition between combat and computing because the computer is built into his vest in a non-intrusive manner – saving minutes when they matter most.

Less Equipment, Less Weight

No Unnecessary Components—everything that can be practically integrated into the system has been, so the system becomes part of the soldier’s common equipment load-out. The computer, radio control unit and ISR feeds are all consolidated to a single display and power source.

The Best Materials—We’ve utilized the latest technology and state-of-the-art components to reduce overall system weight.

Reduced Logistics Weight—By reducing the overall system weight, we’ve also reduced the burden upon the logistics organization required to support the system by eliminating or reducing the need for items such as spare parts, batteries and cables. The system is designed to work directly with what is deployed today, with no additional adapters or conversion boxes required.

Advanced Power Features

The system accepts nearly all military power inputs

Flexible Power Input—The system directly accepts a wide voltage range from military batteries, vehicle power, fuel cells, solar panels and more, eliminating the need for multiple power sources and bulky regulating cables. In short, it works with the power sources you already have available (BA5590, LI-80, LI-145 and others). It can also provide power (regulated or not) to other mission-specific peripherals.

Scalable Power States—The system utilizes scalable processing to provide multiple power states that accommodate video-intensive, high power consumption activities as well as low power and standby modes.

Fanless Design—The highly efficient computer module is cooled without a fan and is comprised of solid-state components. No moving parts means more reliability in the field and ultra-quiet operation.

Best-Practice Power Management—Our Status & Control application implements industry-standard best practices while managing every aspect of the system’s configuration and power consumption. This affords a longer mission profile with fewer batteries and more personal customization.

Better Display Technology—The sunlight-viewable handheld display is optimized for power consumption in all ambient lighting conditions. It provides unmatched visibility even in the brightest sunlit conditions, can be dimmed for night operation and is large enough to view multiple video feeds simultaneously.

Field Performance & User Experience

Seamless Integration with Existing Issued Equipment—We realize that the soldier has certain equipment they must carry, so our system easily integrates with hydration, radio systems, body armor, and communications.

Modular Equipment Load-Out—Today’s soldiers are asked to adapt daily to ever-evolving missions. Our modular system allows for mission-specific equipment to be outfitted – it scales with your mission. The entire system can be removed and replaced in seconds.

The system interfaces with nearly all major radio systems

Communications—The system interfaces with all major radio systems and headsets such as SOCOM-X, Nacre, Peltor, Silynx, AN/PRC-152, AN/PRC-117 F/G, AN/PSC-5, MBITR AN/PRC-148, SINCGARS, EPLRS, and others.

Decreased Boot Time—The system software has been streamlined to reduce time from power-on and sleep states to full mission effectiveness.

Multiple Operating Systems—Our system can run Windows® or Linux.

Advanced Software Applications—The system is proven with existing software like Falcon View, FBCB2, C2SA, Blue Force Tracker, AFATDS, and more. It’s also proven to run ancillary applications like simultaneous, two-way speech translation, speech-to-text and biometric identity management. Our patent-pending, customizable user interface application, AppConfig, provides user-configurable software tiling for easy access to the most commonly used applications. The operator can save his profile and recall it in the field with one click. In addition, our custom application launcher, LaunchPad, provides an intuitive, iPhone- or Android-like interface while still maintaining the power of a Windows or Linux based PC.

Information Assurance—The system features active tamper detection, zeroize capabilities and enables other layered information assurance features.

Safety—The system supports emergency doffing and rescue procedures. Our patent-pending cable management system greatly reduces snag hazards and allows for smooth vehicle ingress/egress.

Audio & Video—The system supports stereo audio and smooth playback of major video formats.

EMI Testing—Although often overlooked in other rugged computers, we’ve engineered our system from the start to be MIL-STD-461F-compliant so it will operate in a modern battlefield RF environment. We subjected the system to susceptibility tests to ensure multiple components can be used simultaneously.

Environmental Testing—Our tactical systems are designed and tested to meet or exceed MIL-STD-810G and IEC60529 IP67 test specifications. Furthermore, our systems go through an extensive environmental stress screening process prior to shipment. This ensures high product reliability in the field.

Lower System Price, Greater Overall Value

Reduced Overall Cost—By combining elements, we reduce the overall system cost for the soldier’s ensemble. Additional features and capabilities can be added throughout the life of the system at low incremental costs.

Modularity and Scalability—Our scalable system allows for mission-specific configuration. You get all the features you need and none of the ones you don’t. You can maintain the multi-box flexibility without multiple boxes.

Commercial Technology—The system uses, wherever possible, the most current off-the-shelf commercial technology which helps lower costs and improve performance and application compatibility.

Open-Architecture Platform—Our system supports open software standards, so any compatible off-the-shelf application can be loaded. This maximizes the interoperability and portability of existing software systems with our tactical platform.