COTS Journal, September 2025

September 2025, Volume 27 - Number 9 cotsjournalonline.com

The Journal of Military Electronics & Computing

Future-Proof Electronic Warfare and SIGINT Systems with OpenVPX and VNX-Based Computing Systems High Performance C++ Designs with AMD Vitis™ HLS Future-Proof Electronic Warfare and SIGINT Systems with OpenVPX and VNX-Based Computing Systems

®

NO ONE POWERS THE ARMY LIKE BEHLMAN

THE UNIVERSAL POWER SUPPLY FOR ALL ARMY CMFF APPLICATIONS Introducing the VPXtra® 500DW-IQI, Behlman’s latest power supply with a wide range DC input that is fully compliant for all platforms in the Army CMFF program. This rugged, highly reliable switch mode 3U VPX unit meets a new standard of adaptability, and is backed by unmatched integration support from the Behlman team. > Developed in alignment with the SOSA™ Technical Standard and VITA 62.0 > Delivers over 482 watts of DC power via two outputs > 90% typical efficiency > Features cutting-edge Tier 3 software > System management integration via VITA 46.11 compatible IPMC

500DW-IQI

The Power Solutions Provider :631-435-0410

: sales@behlman.com

:www.behlman.com

COTS (kots), n. 1. Commercial off-the-shelf. Terminology popularized in 1994 within U.S. DoD by SECDEF Wm. Perry’s “Perry Memo” that changed military industry purchasing and design guidelines, making Mil-Specs acceptable only by waiver. COTS is generally defined for technology, goods and services as: a) using commercial business practices and specifications, b) not developed under government funding, c) offered for sale to the general market, d) still must meet the program ORD. 2. Commercial business practices include the accepted practice of customer-paid minor modification to standard COTS products to meet the customer’s unique requirements —Ant. When applied to the procurement of electronics for the U.S. Military, COTS is a procurement philosophy and does not imply commercial. Office environment or any other durability grade. E.g., rad-hard components designed and offered for sale to the general market are COTS if they were developed by the company and not under government funding.

SPECIAL FEATURE 16

Future-Proof Electronic Warfare and SIGINT Systems with OpenVPX and VNX-Based Computing Systems

By Flemming Christensen, Founder & CEO, Sundance Multiprocessor Technology

SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT 20

DEPARTMENTS 6

Publisher’s Note

8

The Inside Track

High Performance C++ Designs with AMD Vitis™ HLS

By AMD, Advanced Micro Devices

TECHNOLOGY FOCUS 24

Engineering Rugged Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) Drive Packs to Enhance Combat Readiness

By Alan High & Joshua Eckley

COT’S PICKS 28

Editor’s Choice for September Cover Image: Wings Out A B-21 Raider test aircraft takes off from Palmdale, Calif., to join the Air Force’s flight test campaign at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

Credit: Courtesy photo

COTS Journal | September 2025

3

A50_COTs_2_25x9_875.qxp_A45.qxd 7/17/25 10:3

EDITORIAL

ACCOUNT MANAGER

EDITORIAL SUBMISSION AND RELEASES johnr@rtc-media.com

SALES MANAGER Vaughn Orchard • vaughno@rtc-media. com CUSTOM AND CONTRACT SERVICES John Reardon • johnr@rtc-media.com

PUBLISHER/CEO John Reardon • johnr@rtc-media.com

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Buck Biblehouse, Glenn ImObersteg, Tom Williams

COTS Journal CORPORATE OFFICE RTC Media 110 S Rancho Santa Fe, Virgin UT 84779 PO 790039 Phone: (949) 226-2023 Fax: (949) 226-2050 www.rtc-media.com

ART AND PRODUCTION CREATIVE DIRECTOR Shae Reardon • shae.reardon@gmail.com DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Scott Blair • scott@blair-media.com AD TRAFFIC Vaughn Orchard • vaughno@rtc-media. com FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING Paige Reardon • paiger@rtc-media.com ADMINISTRATION/CIRCULATION Dawn Dunaway • dawnr@rtc-media.com

PUBLISHED BY RTC MEDIA

Copyright 2025, RTC Media. Printed in the United States. All rights reserved. All related graphics are trademarks of The RTC Group. All other brand and product names are the property of their holders.

64 GS/s Direct RF Is at Hand!

DC-DC Converters Transformers & Inductors DC-DC Converters 2V to 10,000 VDC Outputs 1-300 Watt Modules

• MIL/COTS/Industrial Models • Regulated/Isolated/Adjustable Programmable Standard Models • New High Input Voltages to 900VDC • AS9100D Facility/US Manufactured • Military Upgrades and Custom Modules

Transformers & Inductors

Surface Mount & Thru Hole

• Ultra Miniature Designs • MIL-PRF 27/MIL-PRF 21308 • DSCC Approved Manufacturing • Audio/Pulse/Power/EMI Multiplex Models Available • For Critical Applications/Pico Modules, Over 50 Years’ Experience

Reduce SWaP-C & Latency!

3U & 6U VPX & Small Form Factors

Certified to AS9100D ISO 9001:2015

VISIT OUR EXCITING NEW WEBSITE with SEARCH WIZARD

For full characteristics of these and the entire PICO product line, see PICO’s Full line catalog at

www.picoelectronics.com

PICO ELECTRONICS, Inc. FEATURING:

143 Sparks Ave., Pelham, New York 10803

USA & Canada: 800-431-1064 Worldwide: +1-914-738-1400

E Mail: info@picoelectronics.com

Annapolis

Micro Systems Tel: 410-841-2514

4

●

www.AnnapMicro.com

COTS Journal | September 2025

MILITARY CONNECTORS

VISIT US AT AUSA 2025 Washington DC Oct 13-15, Booth 4033

HIGH-SPEED, HIGH-DENSITY, HIGH POWER odu-connectors.com

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

By Eric Werny, Retired - Navy Radioman

Amateur Radio and the Future of National Security

In an era of advanced digital infrastructure, satellite communications, and global connectivity, it is vital to recognize the significant fragility of our communication systems. While metropolitan areas often have redundancy in their communications, rural areas tend to lack such support.

A Legacy of Service in Times of Crisis From World War II to the aftermath of natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina, amateur radio operators have stepped in when other systems failed. Unlike commercial and governmental networks, amateur stations are decentralized, adaptable, and capable of establishing communications rapidly without relying on fragile centralized infrastructure.

Amateur operators were among the first to pass critical traffic during the 9/11 attacks when phone systems were overwhelmed. They continue to play a vital role in emergency operations centers across the country, providing backup links between agencies and communities.

In the United States, the various civil defense agencies were replaced with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in 1979. In 2002, this became part of the Department of Homeland Security after the

6

COTS Journal | September 2025

September 11, 2001, attack on the twin towers in New York.

Vulnerabilities in Modern Communications National security increasingly relies on data being transmitted across fiber optic cables, undersea links, and satellite networks. These systems, while highly efficient, are also vulnerable to the following. This is a brief subjective list.

HUMAN: • • • • • • • • • •

Cyberattacks on networks, data centers, hubs, and human-accessible systems to disrupt cabling.

War - International, Rebellions, be that Regional, Local.

Anti-satellite weapons.

Human Intervention By The Overuse of Resources.

Wide-area Electrical Power Shutdowns Due To System Failures.

Political Actor Sabotage In Land, Sea, and Air. Natural Gas Explosions.

Wildfires are causing massive evacuations.

Construction and excavation Major Aircraft Accidents in Populated Areas, where local communications are brought to over capacity.

• • • •

•

Roadway Disruptions Due To Major Accidents And Bridge Failures.

Railroad Derailments Also With Toxic Chemicals In Populated Areas.

Failure of the Governmental Organization To Provide Leadership and Services.

Overwhelmed infrastructure, such as cellular, landline telephone, Satellite communications, and the Internet. With loss of electrical power, most systems with backup provisions are only available for up to seventy-two hours.

In a major conflict or large-scale disaster, the loss of these networks could leave government agencies and citizens cut off from vital information.

The Strategic Role of Amateur Radio The Department of Defense and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have already recognized amateur radio’s value. Programs such as MARS (Military Auxiliary Radio System) work closely with amateur operators to maintain a pool of trained communicators who can assist in times of national crisis. MARS is still active through the ARMY and Air Force, but disbanded by the Navy in 2015.

Looking ahead, amateur radio could support national security in three critical ways:

NATURAL:

•

• • • • • •

•

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Earthquake Volcanic Eruption Volcanic Ash Landside Rockfall Standard Weather Patterns - Unusual Hot and Cold Temperatures Hurricanes, Tornadoes, and Monsoons Lighting Storms Derechos Blizzards Ice Storms Hailstroms Floods and Flash Floods Coastal Fooding Wildfires and Firestorms Dust Storms Tsunami Geomagnetic storms Pest Infestations

Health, Welfare, and Logistical Communications In major events, high-priority messages that protect life and property take precedence, along with the logistics for Amateur Radio Communication systems.

Emergency Alert System (Eas) In the United States, the various civil defense agencies were replaced with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in 1979. In 2002 this became part of the Department of Homeland Security.

640 kHz and 1240 kHz on the a.m. broadcast band are not actively used for civil defense; they were part of the Cold War-era CONELRAD system, which has been replaced by the modern Emergency Alert System (EAS).

Amateur radio—operating on independent power, with flexible frequency access and worldwide reach—offers a resilient alternative. Unlike cellular towers or internet exchanges, a simple HF transceiver and wire antenna can span continents without external infrastructure.

•

Resilient Emergency Communications – Serving as a decentralized safety net when conventional systems fail.

Technical Innovation – Advancing digital modes, weak-signal propagation, mesh networks, and SDR (software-defined radio) technologies that can be adapted for broader defense use.

Public Preparedness & Civil Defense – Encouraging citizens to be communication-capable during emergencies, strengthening the resilience of communities nationwide.

The Next Ten Years: Integration, Not Isolation Rather than existing on the fringe of technology, amateur radio is poised to integrate with modern tools. SDR platforms, internet-linked repeaters, and hybrid emergency networks that blend ham radio with secure digital systems will define the next decade. In a high-stakes scenario where cyberwarfare or infrastructure sabotage threatens the U.S., having a trained cadre of licensed operators who can bridge communication gaps could prove decisive.

The Shedding Of Technology During Massive Failures As infrastructure failures grow during coupled disasters, going back to the basics in communications will prevail.

There are those who claim that cellular networks will be the saving grace with satellite communications, but those will be the primary targets during a conflict.

Conclusion Amateur radio is more than a hobby—it is a living infrastructure of resilient, independent communicators. For the United States, it represents not just a backup plan but a strategic advantage in maintaining continuity of communication during emergencies. As threats evolve, national security planners should continue to embrace and expand collaboration with the amateur radio community.

The future of amateur radio is not only about experimentation and fellowship—it is about ensuring the nation can speak, listen, and respond when it matters most.

COTS Journal | September 2025

7

The

Inside Track

Parasoft Helps Ribbit, Innovative Developer of Autonomous Aircraft Solutions, Soar With AI-Driven Testing of C/C++ Based, Safety-Critical Autopilot Software

Parasoft announces an innovative collaboration with Ribbit, a nimble Canadian startup developing autonomous flight technology to transform air cargo deliveries to remote areas for civilian, defense, and humanitarian applications. Instead of building new autonomous aircraft from the ground up, Ribbit has adopted a unique “software-first” strategy, focusing on retrofitting existing, small, and affordable aircraft with autonomous autopilot software and ruggedized, off-the-shelf hardware. The core autonomy stack, which was developed in C++ for maximum control and safety-critical reliability, is bolstered by Ribbit’s use of Parasoft’s comprehensive test automation solutions for C/C++ software development.

“Ribbit’s partnership with Parasoft is a cornerstone of our development strategy by empowering our engineers to standardize coding practices and deliver consistent product quality,” said Carl Pigeon, co-founder and CEO of Ribbit. “It is also beneficial for onboarding new employees more effectively. In particular, Parasoft’s static analysis tools are like a personal tutor that sets the benchmark for Ribbit’s code quality.”

Overcoming Challenges In proving its systems are safe to fly without pilots in the world’s most challenging environments, Ribbit selected Parasoft C/C++ test to support fast-paced, iterative design and prototype cycles, along with the safety benefits of DO-178C and JSF coding standards. Aviation authorities, such as Transport Canada, are assured that Ribbit’s retrofitted systems are safe despite the regulatory uncertainty for unmanned aircraft. Parasoft’s static analysis and compliance capabilities also enforce MISRA and JSF rules early in development, empowering engineers to find and fix coding issues as early as possible.

Pragmatic, “Proven With Use” Development Equally important is a “proven with use” approach that Ribbit leverages to test autonomy using onboard safety pilots before progressing to remotely supervised flights under Canada’s Special Flight Operating Certificate (SFOC).

This lets engineers gather real-world data while maintaining operational

flexibility.

Step-by-Step Validation Parasoft’s deep aerospace and civil aviation expertise, TÜV SÜD certification, and seamless integration with existing workflows enforce coding standards so that Ribbit can focus on autonomy and compliance. Parasoft C/ C++test offers Ribbit more than just compliance checking, as engineers take advantage of the VS Code plugin to catch issues in real-time without context switching. Moreover, Parasoft’s AI-powered violation triaging helps prioritize the most critical fixes, which is crucial for a team juggling multiple requirements. With Parasoft C/C++test CT, Ribbit also achieves 90-95% test coverage through continuous integration pipelines that blend test execution with their simulation environments.

“Ribbit is a great example of how innovative aerospace companies can move quickly without compromising safety by integrating Parasoft static analysis into their CI workflow,” said Ricardo Camacho, director of product strategy, Embedded & Safety-Critical Compliance, Parasoft. “When demonstrating their systems to Transport Canada, for instance, Ribbit could easily point to their Parasoft-verified processes as evidence of rigorous development, even before formal certification.”

New Heights of Innovation Since adopting Parasoft, Ribbit has achieved multiple $1M+ government contracts for defense and humanitarian applications. The company has also gained complete compliance with MISRA and JSF to ensure a robust and reliable codebase. Standardized coding practices lead to faster, easier onboarding of new engineers, along with accelerated development cycles. Most important, however, is Ribbit’s ability to integrate Parasoft’s compliance solutions into the ongoing development workflow. As a result, Ribbit continues to reach new heights of innovation in autonomous flight technology while reducing the cost, complexity, and time required to design, build, test, and certify new autonomous planes.

American Rheinmetall Invests $31.7M in Michigan to Accelerate U.S. Defense Modernization and Strengthen National Industrial Base.

American Rheinmetall announced today a $31.7 million investment in its Michigan facilities, reinforcing its commitment to advancing U.S. defense capabilities, strengthening domestic supply chains, and expanding the skilled U.S. manufacturing workforce. The investment includes a

8

COTS Journal | September 2025

move to a state-of-the-art, 168,056 sq. ft. facility in Auburn Hills, MI that will consolidate existing operations in Troy and Sterling Heights, and the creation of 450 new jobs across the enterprise, further demonstrating the company’s commitment as a hub for next-generation defense innovation.

The

Inside Track

This strategic investment positions American Rheinmetall to provide enhanced support for critical U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) programs, including the U.S. Army’s XM30 combat vehicle program, where the company is one of two prime contractors competing to deliver the Army’s next-generation combat vehicle platform to replace the M2 Bradley.

“This expansion represents a major step forward in strengthening our ability to deliver critical defense technologies to the U.S. military,” said Matt Warnick, CEO of American Rheinmetall. “It’s a direct investment in American manufacturing capacity and the skilled workforce that powers it.”

While the primary focus of the investment and new facility is on advanced defense products, American Rheinmetall’s capabilities also extend to the broader manufacturing sector—including precision components used in agricultural and commercial machinery. These products support American farmers by improving equipment durability, efficiency, and sustainability.

“Our Michigan operations are central to our U.S. growth strategy—not only in defense but across a range of markets where performance and reliability matter,” added Warnick. “From the battlefield to the heartland, we’re proud to support the industries that underpin national security and economic strength.”

The expansion directly supports national defense priorities by accelerating the modernization of U.S. military capabilities. It also bolsters industrial resilience by expanding domestic production capacity, not only in defense but across critical manufacturing sectors. The investment contributes to workforce development by creating 450 new jobs with highly competitive starting wages and benefits that are above the regional median wage. This initiative enhances the security of U.S. supply chains and reinforces the vital connection between national defense, economic strength, and the domestic manufacturing industrial base.

The new Auburn Hills site was selected after a competitive process involving eight other states. The decision was supported by the State of Michigan, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), and local partners.

This investment follows American Rheinmetall’s recent acquisition of Loc Performance Products, another Michigan-based defense supplier, further enhancing the company’s ability to deliver integrated, scalable solutions across its defense portfolio.“Ribbit’s partnership with Parasoft is a cornerstone of our development strategy by empowering our engineers to standardize coding practices and deliver consistent product quality,” said Carl Pigeon, co-founder and CEO of Ribbit. “It is also beneficial for onboarding new employees more effectively.

In particular, Parasoft’s static analysis tools are like a personal tutor that sets the benchmark for Ribbit’s code quality.”

Overcoming Challenges In proving its systems are safe to fly without pilots in the world’s most challenging environments, Ribbit selected Parasoft C/C++ test to support

fast-paced, iterative design and prototype cycles, along with the safety benefits of DO-178C and JSF coding standards. Aviation authorities, such as Transport Canada, are assured that Ribbit’s retrofitted systems are safe despite the regulatory uncertainty for unmanned aircraft. Parasoft’s static analysis and compliance capabilities also enforce MISRA and JSF rules early in development, empowering engineers to find and fix coding issues as early as possible.

Pragmatic, “Proven With Use” Development Equally important is a “proven with use” approach that Ribbit leverages to test autonomy using onboard safety pilots before progressing to remotely supervised flights under Canada’s Special Flight Operating Certificate (SFOC). This lets engineers gather real-world data while maintaining operational flexibility.

Step-by-Step Validation Parasoft’s deep aerospace and civil aviation expertise, TÜV SÜD certification, and seamless integration with existing workflows enforce coding standards so that Ribbit can focus on autonomy and compliance. Parasoft C/C++test offers Ribbit more than just compliance checking, as engineers take advantage of the VS Code plugin to catch issues in real-time without context switching. Moreover, Parasoft’s AI-powered violation triaging helps prioritize the most critical fixes, which is crucial for a team juggling multiple requirements. With Parasoft C/C++test CT, Ribbit also achieves 90-95% test coverage through continuous integration pipelines that blend test execution with their simulation environments.

“Ribbit is a great example of how innovative aerospace companies can move quickly without compromising safety by integrating Parasoft static analysis into their CI workflow,” said Ricardo Camacho, director of product strategy, Embedded & Safety-Critical Compliance, Parasoft. “When demonstrating their systems to Transport Canada, for instance, Ribbit could easily point to their Parasoft-verified processes as evidence of rigorous development, even before formal certification.”

New Heights of Innovation Since adopting Parasoft, Ribbit has achieved multiple $1M+ government contracts for defense and humanitarian applications. The company has also gained complete compliance with MISRA and JSF to ensure a robust and reliable codebase. Standardized coding practices lead to faster, easier onboarding of new engineers, along with accelerated development cycles.

Most important, however, is Ribbit’s ability to integrate Parasoft’s compliance solutions into the ongoing development workflow. As a result, Ribbit continues to reach new heights of innovation in autonomous flight technology while reducing the cost, complexity, and time required to design, build, test, and certify new autonomous planes.

COTS Journal | September 2025

9

The

Inside Track AimLock and Teledyne FLIR Defense Collaborate on Autonomous Kinetic Capabilities AimLock, a pioneer in autonomous targeting and engagement systems, announced it is collaborating with Teledyne FLIR Defense to provide autonomous kinetic capabilities for the company’s SUGV™ 325 and Kobra™ 725 ground robots.

AimLock’s systems, powered by the company’s Core Targeting Modules (CTMs), will support Teledyne FLIR’s robots in delivering decision-accelerating kinetic autonomy across key mission sets in Counter-UAS, Force Protection, Direct Action, Integrated Defense, Strike Anti-Armor, and Support by Fire.

Teledyne FLIR’s SUGV 325, Integrated with AimLock’s RS-2 Solution with Dual 40mm Grenade Launchers SUGV 325, a backpackable robot offering a versatile solution for various missions, will be integrated with AimLock’s RS-2. This remote engagement system enhances speed and accuracy in automated target acquisition and firing solutions. R-S2 can be affixed with a range of weapon systems: dual 40mm grenade launchers, quad M72 rocket launchers, a lightweight machine gun, .50 caliber semi-automatic rifle, and more.

The R-S2 provides: • Multi-sensor AI targeting: The system uses edge-processed, multi-modal sensors with AI-enhanced target detection, classification, recognition, and identification.

• Automated stabilized firing: two-axis stabilized positioners provide automated firing solutions with corrections for target and platform motion, environmental conditions, and targeting ranges.

• Flexible integration: open architecture control interfaces integrate into larger combat systems or standalone use, with platform kits

• • •

• •

available for manned and unmanned air and ground vehicles.

Teledyne FLIR’s Kobra 725, Integrated with AimLock’s RM-1 The Kobra 725, a powerful, heavy-payload robot, will be integrated with AimLock’s RM-1, a semi-autonomous remote weapon station for medium machine gun platforms. The RM-1 provides: An advanced targeting system: The R-M1 combines day/night sensors, laser range-finding, active stabilization, autonomous detection, classification, tracking, and automatic firing to deliver fast, accurate engagement, even while on the move. ·Multi-threat capability: It detects and tracks small drones, vehicles, and enemy combatants, enabling 7.62mm and .338 Norma Mag machine gun engagement out to the host weapon’s effective range.

Flexible deployment: The ultra-portable system can be mounted on tripods, buildings, vehicles, boats, and helicopters for maximum operational versatility.

“As autonomy on the battlefield continues to become the status quo, our unique ability to provide autonomous kinetic capabilities is more important than ever,” said Bryan Bockmon, CEO of AimLock. “We are pleased to collaborate with Teledyne FLIR Defense to power their robots with the kind of technology that helps keep warfighters safe and bring them home from the most precarious of missions.”

“Globally, our customers are placing a sharper focus on lethality for unmanned systems, which is why our collaboration with Aim-Lock is a win-win,” said Nate Winn, director of product management, Unmanned Systems North America, at Teledyne FLIR Defense. “Whether it’s our SUGV or Kobra robots or Rogue 1 UAS, our highly modular platforms can easily integrate a wide range of kinetic effect systems that are proving to be difference-makers in modern warfare.”

Sundance and Etion Create Launch First Integrated, Expandable Tactical Router for Military Vehicles at DSEI UK Non-ITAR modular router expandable to a mission computer with situational awareness Sundance Multiprocessor Technology (Sundance) and Etion Create, leaders in modular embedded computing systems, announced the Cheetah Tactical Router, the industry’s first military-grade tactical router with built-in interconnects.

Cheetah is a fully managed military-grade level 2/3 switch/router designed for military vehicles and other harsh environment edge applications. With support for VNX+™ (VITA 90) — an emerging hardware standard that speeds the design of SWAP-C constrained defense and aerospace applications — the Cheetah Router features a unique design that’s expandable for cryptographic security, video camera processing, and Ethernet.

Key connectivity interfaces on the Cheetah router include: • Intra-vehicle data link • Inter-vehicle data link • Tactical Data Link (TDL) • Radio interface and radio fill management • Intercom interface • Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) • Multiple-camera sensor fusion

10

COTS Journal | September 2025

•

Power-over-Ethernet (PoE)

“The Cheetah Router meets the complex requirements of military vehicles operating in the most demanding environmental conditions,” said Tobie van Loggerenberg, business development executive, Etion Create. “As the market’s first VNX+ tactical router featuring integrated interconnects, the Cheetah Router’s flexible, modular design empowers military customers to add the functionality they need most. That includes cryptographic security and low-latency video processing.”

“Introducing the Cheetah Router showcases Etion Create’s ability to deliver military-grade VNX+ embedded computing products to market,” added van Loggerenberg. “Equally significant, the Cheetah Router is the first member of our VNX+ product portfolio.”

Ecosystem support for the VNX+ standard and Cheetah Router is growing.

Samtec, a leader in advanced connectivity solutions for embedded platforms and a pioneering supporter of VNX+, supplies SEARAY™ connectors that deliver 56 Gbps PAM4 data transmission speeds and advanced signal integrity to the Cheetah Router.

“Meeting the most stringent requirements of rugged, high-reliability applications, VNX+ is optimized for the small form factor and modular-computing approach needed for modern military applications,” said David Givens, vice president of industry standards, Samtec.

“Designers who select the new Cheetah Router for their ruggedized systems can already take full advantage of the performance and density of Samtec’s family of VNX+-compatible SEARAY connectors.”

The

Inside Track Cubic and 4C Strategies to Provide Common Counter Terrorism Exercise Management Systems Cubic Defence Australia and 4C Strategies welcome the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ selection of 4C Strategies’ Exonaut Software to provide Common Counter Terrorism Exercise Management Systems (CCTEMS).

The Exonaut exercise management capability delivers virtual, remote information management to enhance interoperability and flexibility in counter-terrorism training. Exonaut is the world’s leading exercise and readiness management software solution, delivered and supported in Australia by Cubic and 4C Strategies. The platform is used by allied forces and partners across NATO, governments, and enterprises for effective, data-driven capability development and training readiness. Exonaut will be implemented as an Australia-New Zealand Common Counter Terrorism (ANZCTC) platform for exercise capabilities.

“Exonaut will support ANZCTC efficiencies by streamlining exercise planning and

execution workflows, enabling data reuse, distributed collaboration, task management, and automation of control functions,” stated Mark Horn, Strategic Development for Cubic Defence Australia. “The CCTEMS will enable training for critical decision-making and real-time behavioral responses not gained through traditional desktop exercises. The capability will enhance training effectiveness by structuring training design around specific objectives, supporting objective evidence collection and objective-based evaluations, and by consolidating performance data for long-term analysis and improvement.”

Miles Macdonald, Vice President APAC of 4C Strategies, said, “The CCTEMS will provide a safe-to-fail training environment that replicates realistic and high-pressure scenarios. This is an important step in strengthening the capability of the counter-terrorism network across Australia and New Zealand. We are proud that Exonaut has been selected to underpin the CCTEMS and support such a vital mission.”

Curtiss-Wright Selected by Rheinmetall to Provide Turret Drive Stabilization System for the KF51 Panther Main Battle Tank Curtiss-Wright announced it has been selected by Rheinmetall Landsysteme Germany (RLS) to provide its modular turret drive stabilization system (TDSS) technology in support of the KF51 Panther Main Battle Tank (MBT). The KF51, a highly advanced and capable main battle tank, is designed to meet the demands of modern warfare. Curtiss-Wright’s highly precise, modular TDSS system is an ideal match for these newly modernized platform requirements. Work under this agreement will be performed by Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions.

“We are very proud that our ability to deliver end-users with the highest level of technology, service, reliability, and quality resulted in our selection by Rheinmetall to support the new KF51 Panther Main Battle Tank,” said Brian Perry, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions. “This contract builds on Curtiss-Wright’s long track record as a supplier of cost-effective and high-precision modular aiming and stabilization systems.”

Under the contract, Curtiss-Wright’s facility, located in Neuhausen am Rheinfall, Switzerland, will provide Rheinmetall with its state-of-the-art modular TDSS and associated hand controllers. This next-generation MBT features a flexible “future-proof” assembly design that uses multiple drives for one axis, enabling the TDSS to deliver superior flexibility for space claim design and weight distribution.

Rugged Embedded Computers – Reliable & High-Performance Processors: Intel Core i7, XEON, Atom & more Extended Temperature Range: -40°C to +85°C Fanless under full load for maximum reliability Flexible Housing Options: Open Frame to IP6X OEM & Customized Solutions MIL-810 / MIL-461 Long-Term Availability: 10+ years production, 20+ years repair support Swiss Engineering & Quality

Contact us www.mpl.ch

COTS Journal | September 2025

11

The

Inside Track

U.S. Army Awards Lockheed Martin $9.8B Contract to Bolster Missile Defense with PAC-3 MSE Largest contract in Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control’s history The U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin a $9.8 billion contract for the production of 1,970 Patriot Advanced Capability – 3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) interceptors and associated hardware. This marks the largest contract in Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control history and demonstrates the continued demand for and trust in this advanced, precise, and proven interceptor.

“PAC-3 MSE’s recent combat performance solidified it as a must-have capability for America and its allies around the world,” said Jason Reynolds, vice president and general manager of Integrated Air and Missile Defense at Lockheed Martin. “With this contract, we’ll be delivering record numbers of PAC-3 MSE for years to come, ensuring our customers have the advanced missile defense solutions they need to defend what matters most.”

Lockheed Martin is continuing to ramp production of PAC-3 to meet increased demand. The company is expected to deliver more than 600 interceptors in 2025 for the first time. This is a result of the company’s proactive steps to start the production ramp with significant internal investments to increase PAC-3 MSE production rates almost two years ahead of contract award.

PAC-3 MSE defends against incoming threats through direct body-tobody contact, delivering exponentially more kinetic energy on the target than can be achieved with blast fragmentation mechanisms. The interceptor is combat-proven against ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, hypersonic

missiles, and airborne threats. Seventeen partner nations, including the U.S., have chosen PAC-3 to defend against incoming threats.

YOUR TRUSTED PARTNER

FOR VIDEO-BASED MISSION SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT

TESTING

FLYABLE

Great River Technology’s avionics and mission system architectural building blocks allow system designers to seamlessly integrate sensors, processors, and displays that use both legacy and state-of-the-art ARINC 818.

12

COTS Journal | September 2025

www.GreatRiverTech.com

The

Inside Track

The Malloy T-150 Uncrewed Air System is now ready for front-line operations, enhancing Royal Navy and Royal Marines capabilities.

After rigorous trials worldwide, the T-150 is set to transform modern military operations, delivering critical supplies in challenging environments for the Royal Marines.

Following two years of trials and development completed in close collaboration with the Royal Navy, a fleet of T-150s will be deployed to carry ammunition, weaponry, food, personnel, and medical supplies to Royal Marines Commandos operating in all manner of extreme environments.

Royal Marines and the Royal Navy’s drone operators from 700X Naval Air Squadron and Commando Logistic Regiment have put the Malloy T-150s through a demanding set of tests and exercises from the freezing Arctic to the Indian Ocean over recent months. This work has resulted in the system being declared ready to Release to Service, which means they are prepared to be used during operations.

The Malloy UAS has proved immensely valuable in rapidly bringing supplies over complex terrain, reaching places where traditional supply lines are simply unviable.

With eight rotor blades – each around two feet in length – an endurance of up to 40 minutes, a top speed of 60mph, and the ability to lift to 68kg, the Malloy T-150 is a proven, capable, and versatile platform. It requires

a team of two: one remote pilot and a second to monitor the aircraft’s command unit. The aircraft can be flown manually or autonomously to designated waypoints, carrying underslung cargo.

Neil Appleton, CEO of Malloy Aeronautics, said: “The UK Release to Service of our T-150 platform is a milestone we’re incredibly proud to be a part of. As a multirole UAS, the T-150 can be used for Replenishment at Sea one day and resupplying deployed Royal Marines Commandos the next.”

“It’s a game-changer for the modern battlefield, and we are proud to deliver this capability to those who need it most. We’ve partnered with the UK Armed Forces throughout this programme, from the Royal Marines Commando Force to wider Ministry of Defence organisations to deliver this capability at pace, including training and in-service support. We welcome this further strengthening of our partnership with the UK armed forces and remain committed to expanding the capability of our multi-role solutions for the UK.” The Malloy T-150 is also undergoing operational evaluation with the UK Carrier Strike Group in the Indo-Pacific, recently delivering supplies from aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales to destroyer HMS Dauntless in a historic first.

Northrop Grumman to Equip Paraguay with Advanced Air Surveillance Radar AN/TPS-78 Advanced Capability Radar is Paraguay’s First U.S.-Approved Military Sale Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) will supply its AN/TPS-78 Advanced Capability (ADCAP) ground-based long-range air surveillance radars to Paraguay through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, marking Paraguay’s first-ever FMS partnership with the U.S. This acquisition enhances Paraguay’s air surveillance capabilities, providing the ability to precisely detect and track manned and unmanned aircraft within its national airspace.

Northrop Grumman’s TPS-78 ADCAP radar will provide critical performance and capability to Paraguay as it defends its national airspace. (Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman) Greg Teitelbaum, vice president, land and maritime sensors, Northrop Grumman: “The Northrop Grumman AN/TPS-78 ADCAP radar provides the long-range coverage and precision tracking required by the Paraguayan Air Force to monitor and secure the country’s airspace. Northrop Grumman is committed to rapidly delivering this vital technology.”

During a recent meeting with Paraguayan President Santiago Pena, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed Paraguay’s acquisition of the Northrop Grumman radar, the economic benefits of the agreement, and its support of Paraguay’s counter-narcotics and counter-weapons trafficking missions.

Built on more than 60 years of company experience in high-performance radars, the long-range AN/TPS-78 ADCAP is fielded worldwide. Operating in the S-band frequency to reduce bandwidth interference, the system delivers superior performance in highly cluttered environments. The stacked beam architecture allows it to detect high- and low-altitude targets in all weather conditions. Its compact system size is designed for reliability and mobility, providing an easily transportable solution with low-cost logistics.

COTS Journal | September 2025

13

The

Inside Track Boeing, RAAF Prove MQ-28 Operational Effectiveness Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have successfully completed demonstrations proving the operational viability of the MQ-28 Ghost Bat Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).

The RAAF-defined demonstrations required the MQ-28 to execute a series of operationally relevant missions designed to supplement and enhance the capabilities of existing crewed platforms.

Boeing-MQ-28 The uncrewed MQ-28 platforms and digital versions have now completed 150 hours and 20,000+ hours of virtual testing. The Capability Demonstration 2025 missions were completed in early June, four months ahead of schedule, and validated: • autonomous behaviours and mission execution • multi-ship operations to provide combat mass • deployment operations to RAAF Base Tindal • teaming with an E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft, and • data fusion and sharing data between multiple MQ-28 aircraft, as well as transmission of that data to a crewed platform.

• MQ-28 is a unique autonomous capability designed to complement the find, fix, track, and target elements of air combat with autonomous behaviors and reduced risk to crewed platforms.

“The RAAF set the task of proving the first four steps in the Air Combat chain for the MQ-28, and we have accomplished that sooner than anticipated,” said Glen Ferguson, MQ-28 Global program director.

“Completing this work early allows us to accelerate the next phases of development – engage and assess – with an air-to-air weapon shot planned for later this year or in early 2026. The demonstrations have proven the maturity of MQ-28’s capabilities and the utility of CCA’s and their application to the future force mix,” Ferguson said.

The capabilities validated throughout 2025 will be incorporated into the Block 2 aircraft now in production, forming the basis of an initial operational capability for the RAAF and allied partners.

MADE IN USA

DIGITIZE OR BE SCARED LIKE THIS GUY

THE “DIGITIZERS”

14

COTS Journal | September 2025

https://otekcorp.com

The

Inside Track SNC’s ATOMS Solution Proves Critical Increase in Capability During Mobility Guardian 2025 SNC, the global aerospace and national security company, has again successfully demonstrated its solution for Airlift/Tanker Open Mission Systems (ATOMS) during Air Mobility Command’s (AMC) Mobility Guardian 2025 (MG-25) Exercise. The demonstration highlighted SNC’s commitment to providing advanced, interoperable solutions to enhance planning and capabilities of the Mobility Air Forces (MAF).

MG-25, part of the first-in-a-generation Air Force Department-Level Exercise (DLE) Series, was AMC’s most comprehensive exercise to date, involving over 4,000 U.S. and Allied Forces personnel to test interoperability and readiness in operationally challenging environments. SNC’s open architecture ATOMS solution played a pivotal role in this exercise, demonstrating its ability to provide seamless data management and communications solutions on multiple aircraft platforms, including the C-17, KC-135, KC-46, and C-130, as well as numerous ground nodes.

MAF “SNC’s participation in MG-25 and the wider DLE underscores our dedication to delivering rapid, innovative solutions that meet the urgent needs of our armed forces,” said Jim Ickes, SNC’s senior vice president of programs. “The ATOMS project exemplifies SNC’s ability to provide low-risk, open architecture solutions that enhance connectivity and situational awareness across vast and diverse operational theaters.”

The SNC solution for ATOMS, provided initially as a Quick Reaction Capability (QRC) in just six months, delivers enhanced situational awareness through multidomain networking and datalink. The system’s ability to provide a Common Operating Picture improves data interpretation and bolsters decision advantage, strengthening AMC’s effectiveness by leveraging multiple communications paths and sensors to share data seamlessly.

Additionally, ATOMS utilizes cloud/edge computing and enables rapid software development with DEVSECOPS principles.

ATOMS is an agile combat enabler that facilitates dynamic aerial refueling planning and operations, enabling mission planning to continue while Joint Forces are en route. The system further provides up-to-date flight plans, weather, and airfield information, and digital communication with ground crew and other aircraft.

“SNC’s large aircraft fleet support is based on three key design tenets: open architecture, low airworthiness risk, and avoiding complex, proprietary solutions,” added Ickes. “This approach allowed us to deliver a rapid, affordable modification with exceptionally low sustainment costs, helping ensure the success of MG-25.”

Roger Grace Associates Publishes A Complimentary Final Report On Its 26th. Annual Mems Industry Commercialization Report Card Study The 2024 MEMS Industry Commercialization Report Card Study Results Point To MEMS Technology Reaching Mature Status, Its Technology Life Cycle Roger Grace, President of Roger Grace Associates, the world’s leading marketing consultancy specializing in sensors and MEMS, has announced the publication of its complimentary and extensive Final Report for its popular 26-hour event—the annual MEMS Industry Commercialization Report Card Study (Report Card). While the 2022 MEMS Industry Commercialization Report Card Study showed the unprecedented increase in virtually all of the 14 subject (a.k.a. critical success factor) grades from the devastating effects of Covid on the 2021 grades, the limited grade changes in the 2023 and 2024 Report Card demonstrated the resilience, stability, and maturity of the MEMS industry. The initial and ongoing intent and objective in creating the Report Card has been to share with the international MEMS community the barriers, also known as critical success factors, in building a successful MEMS industry, and to provide valuable inputs to help participants succeed better based on past performance.

From its inception, the Report Card Study research process has adopted a hybrid approach, combining two popular market research vehicle concepts: the Delphi Process and the Mass Observation Process (MOP), which gained popularity in the UK before WWII. Both approaches utilize inputs from a limited number of highly knowledgeable industry experts, in contrast to popular opinion research vehicles, such as Gallup, Nielsen, and Harris Polls, which conduct numerous interviews to forecast/project an outcome with a certain degree of accuracy.

Mr. Grace stated… “It continues to give me immense gratification to offer to the members of the MEMS community this complimentary Report Card Final Report providing the results of this ongoing Study, which addresses the health of the worldwide MEMS industry’s commercialization activities. This is truly a “lessons learned” opportunity, and in the words of the famous philosopher George Santayana,” those who forget the past are condemned to relive

it...I was truly gratified to have received 65 verbatims from the Study’s 41 respondents and have included all of them in the Final Report. I consider these verbatim to be of immense value since they were contributed by participants who have an average of 25 years of experience in the MEMS industry and who are recognized worldwide for their many valuable contributions.

The true credibility of the Study and resulting Final Report resides in the fact that it collectively represents the inputs of over 1000 person-years of MEMS industry experience”.

Key takeaways of the Study’s final report include: • Grade changes: a total of three one-grade changes in grades from 2023 to 2024, consisting of two one-grade increases (Profitability, Employment) and one one-grade decrease (VC Attraction) • Significant increase in verbatims on AI from 2023 • Virtually no verbatims on the topic of Chips Act… considerable reduction from the previous year • Challenges in VC Funding, driven by AI dominance in funding vehicles, demonstrate that MEMS startups must integrate AI into their offerings.

• MEMS suppliers need to add value by selling solutions and not components/devices • Numerous verbatims supporting the technology life cycle maturity of MEMS • High degree of positive correlation of letter grades and grade changes per year versus the corresponding socio/economic situation • For a complimentary copy of the 2024 MEMS Industry Commercialization Report Card Study Final Report, please send your email request to Roger Grace at… rgrace@rgrace.com.

COTS Journal | September 2025

15

SPECIAL FEATURE

Future-Proof Electronic Warfare and SIGINT Systems with OpenVPX, VNX-Based Computing Systems 16

COTS Journal | September 2025

By Flemming Christensen, Founder & CEO, Sundance Multiprocessor Technology Flemming Christensen is founder and CEO of Sundance Multiprocessor Technology, an ISO9001-2015-certified company that delivers custom-designed embedded products for high-performance robotics, vision, motion, and sensor applications.

Strong electronic warfare (EW) and signals intelligence (SIGINT) are critical in modern combat environments. But with a constant stream of new commercial technologies being introduced to defense systems, legacy hardware can’t always keep pace with the rate of change.

The traditional static architecture no longer provides the flexibility required to meet the demands of current usage. It is only by making use of technical trends such as modularization, FPGA reconfiguration, software-defined backplane, and real-time and AI data processing that systems can evolve to match the fast-moving progress of modern defense systems.

Challenges of modern SIGINT systems

Modern AI, and edge AI especially, have changed the nature of the threat landscape by moving the processing closer to where it is used. The increase in real-time AI inference and data fusion requires higher computing power and low-latency data fusion — placing new demands on both hardware and software. Plus,

quantum-resistant security is necessary to protect against both existing and emerging cyber threats.

Any hardware system must therefore offer sufficient flexibility and modularity for different mission profiles along with robust protection against environmental influences. Complicating matters, these systems must maintain SWaP optimization while also meeting the demands of interoperability and system upgrades.

OpenVPX & VNX (VITA 74) meet growing demands for ultra-compact embedded solutions.

OpenVPX offers the modularity, interchangeability, and performance needed for SIGINT-based systems (VITA 65.x) to meet these modern challenges. The OpenVPX software-defined backplane (VITA 67.3) allows reconfiguring the signal paths without having to rewire the hardware. It also enables “I/O as a service” functions such as CXL3.0 (Compute Express Link), TSN (Time-Sensitive Networking), or VITA Radio Transport.

COTS Journal | September 2025

17

VNX+ (VITA 90) is an emerging hardware standard that speeds the design of SWAP-C constrained defense and aerospace applications— source: Sundance Multiprocessor Technology.

The extended air-flow-through cooling of the backplane allows for improved thermal dissipation, which is essential for modern AI workloads. It also offers both the larger 6U and more compact 3U form factors, as well as the ability to mix and match modules and other technology between the two. Sundance and longtime business partner Etion Create support a range of OpenVPX architectures.

VNX (VITA 74) was introduced to complement OpenVPX with energy-saving, yet powerful platforms. This standard supports very compact, lightweight solutions for uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs), mobile SIGINT systems, and other portable solutions. VNX supports multiple connection options for OpenVPX systems while meeting performance, modularity, and interface diversity demands for SWaP-critical applications. And VNX supports PCIe Gen4 interconnects, 100 GbE networking, and expanded I/O channels that enable high-bandwidth and low-latency data transfer.

OpenVPX and VNX: The best of both worlds

The choice between OpenVPX and VNX depends on the application’s immediate requirements. OpenVPX provides options for better compute power and higher I/O throughput, whereas VNX is more suited to designs that are size- or weight-constrained. But it doesn’t need to be an either-or choice. It is possible to combine both architectures to derive the best of both. Since the OpenVPX enclosure provides dedicated VNX slots, it’s possible to do this internally, or it can be achieved via an external connection such as PCIe or Ethernet.

Bridging the gap between compact VNX+ 19mm 400-pin

18

COTS Journal | September 2025

SBCIO PIM modules and widely deployed OpenVPX SOSA-aligned systems, Sundance’s high-performance VNX+ to 3U VPX Adapter exemplifies this approach. The Sundance adapter allows embedded designers and integrators to leverage existing VPX infrastructure while tapping into the growing ecosystem of VNX+ modules. It also provides board manufacturers with a clear path to develop next-generation VNX+ .

VNX+ (VITA 90): high performance with focus on edge processing

VNX+ is the next generation of VNX systems. As such, it expands on the original standard by enhancing performance, supporting higher power capacities, and providing new connectors.

Plus, VNX+ delivers OpenVPX performance in roughly the same small form-factor as VNX, balancing SWaP-optimization with high-performance. It also supports increased power (up to 50W) and throughput (up to 10Gbps) with better cooling, making VNX+ well-suited for UAVs and UGVs with mobile sensor technology.

For more than forty years, open standards backplane-based systems like VME, CompactPCI, VPX, OpenVPX, and others have been designed to 3U and 6U system architectures. Recently, however, 4U OpenVPX (VITA 100) chassis concepts have emerged, promising to deliver the extra footprint needed for applications with increased thermal requirements and management while retaining a more compact form factor than 6U frames. In theory, these 4U designs blend the size, power, and performance needed for use cases like military drones.

In practice, however, market headwinds make this approach

potentially dangerous. For example, there are more than forty years of legacy 3U and 6U CompactPCI, VME, and CPX installations deployed in the field today. When moving to a 4U design, those systems — and any viable infrastructure — would need to be abandoned, an unattractive option at best.

It’s no wonder that system designers hesitate to adopt a modified or non-standard architecture that is supported by fewer companies than a conventional standard. These points alone warrant giving 4U designs a second thought. Fortunately, viable alternatives can be found in 3U boards and modules from vendors like Sundance and Etion Create.

Software-defined systems: The key to future-proofing

Abstracting software from hardware permits systems to adapt quickly to new missions, threats, and environments — without the lengthy and costly retrofits. Here, completely modular and reconfigurable software-defined systems (SDS) represent a shift in the design and maintenance of modern systems.

It makes good sense to consider adaptive signal processing platforms. Supporting the deployment of improved AI and machine learning algorithms remotely to in-theater systems, these platforms can evolve in real time to maintain peak performance in changing environments. Furthermore, AI middleware stacks such as TensorFlow Lite for VxWorks also support onboard model training. With systems that can learn and adapt in the

field, decision-making and efficiency can be improved without the need for constant remote updates.

Finally, SDS empowers designers, allowing them to push targeted updates to FPGA bitstreams and logic on the fly. Instead of swapping out boards or taking the system offline, designers can send reconfiguration packages directly to the FPGA.

Open modular standards accelerate future-ready system design.

Developing solutions based on modular standards such as OpenVPX, VNX, and VNX+ makes it possible today to meet the growing demands of tomorrow’s intelligent warfare and SIGINT applications. Sundance and Etion Create are among a burgeoning ecosystem of open, modular solution providers that are leveraging OpenVPX, VNX, and VNX+ solutions to allow system designers to scale and adapt with ease.

The Etion Create Cheetah Tactical Router — a modular, ruggedized system designed for vehicles that operate in harsh environments — is one new example. Based on the VNX+ standard, the router is ideal for vehicle applications, providing connectivity for situational awareness, internal and external communications to the vehicle, and Tactical Data Link functions.

While it’s impossible to predict the future, savvy engineers can design flexible systems that rapidly adapt to the requirements of the moment. Now, they have the tools to do so at scale.

Etion Create’s Cheetah Tactical Router is the foundation of a planned portfolio of SWaP-C-optimized tactical mission computers based on VNX+—source: Etion Create. The Etion Create Cheetah Tactical Router — a modular, ruggedized system designed for vehicles that operate in harsh environments — is one new example. Based on the VNX+ standard, the router is ideal for vehicle applications, providing connectivity for situational awareness, internal and external communications to the vehicle, and Tactical Data Link functions.

While it’s impossible to predict the future, savvy engineers can design flexible systems that rapidly adapt to the requirements of the moment.

Now, they have the tools to do so at scale.

COTS Journal | September 2025

19

SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

High Performance C++ Designs with AMD Vitis™ HLS

20

COTS Journal | September 2025

By AMD, Advanced Micro Devices Introduction

AMD offers comprehensive, multi-node FPGA and adaptive SoC portfolios to address requirements across a wide set of applications—whether you are designing a state-of-the-art, high-performance networking application requiring the highest capacity, bandwidth, and performance, or looking for a lowcost, small footprint device.

For the levels of integration these circuits offer, the importance of high-level synthesis (HLS) is crucial. And it is not just productivity gains; it is also the expressiveness of C++ to efficiently and concisely code algorithms. C++ offers several advantages including advanced data structures, types, and math functions that are not available out-of-the-box in classic design flows based on Verilog or VHDL. Also, importantly, the functional verification speed with C++ is a mammoth advantage over RTL simulators. Another core C++ advantage is that after synthesis, the verification of the generated RTL with the same testbench is available.

High-level synthesis for C++ is bundled into the new AMD Vitis™ Unified IDE. This AMD Vitis HLS tool is ideal for video and DSP algorithms. It maps them onto the logic fabric, while the AI Engines, the vector processor in AMD Versal™ devices, come with their own compiler, which is not covered in this article. For more information about the Versal AI Engine vector processors, visit us on www.amd.com.

The new AMD Vitis IDE offers a bottom-up approach that allows the creation of components for either the fabric (often referred to as the programmable logic) or onto the AI Engines.

Floating-Point Fast Fourier Transform in C++

To illustrate the capabilities of AMD Vitis™ HLS, let us look at a fast Fourier transform (FFT) written in just 80 lines of C++.

The code example is open-source, available on GitHub-Xilinx/ pp4fpgas.

We should note that with Vitis HLS, you also have the option to instantiate an AMD LogiCORE™ FFT IP, available in the AMD Vivado™ IP Catalog, but here we use a generic C++ FFT. This has several advantages over writing RTL or using a pre-designed IP: the code is compact, portable, and easily customizable. Compactness relative to RTL stems from the untimed nature of C++, which leaves it to the compiler to insert registers in the generated RTL to meet FMAX goals. In addition, Vitis HLS can optionally include AXI adapters to the design ports.

The data type is “float” (single-precision floating-point), which is natively supported in Versal DSP Engines. Design-

COTS Journal | September 2025

21

ing an FFT with floating-point compared to fixedpoint has the advantage of not having to manage bit growth.

Notice the pragmas in the code; they direct the compiler optimizations and help ensure, in this case, that all the tasks in the code region operate in parallel. These tasks correspond to the FFT stages delineated (unrolled) in the stage loop. This nudges the compiler to map these iterations as a succession of distinct fft_stage calls, which allows for parallel execution of these different stages rather than reusing a single block of logic (and become a bottleneck).

Analyzing the Results and Measuring Performance First, the focus should be on the main synthesis report as it can tell us how well these loops are performing. The “interval” indicates the number of clock cycles before another iteration can be launched independently of the iteration latency, which is another column of the report. We can also see that the dataflow architecture is implemented in the “pipelined” column.

Later, the report also confirms the type of interfaces used to connect our generated RTL to other elements of the design

22

COTS Journal | September 2025

outside of this Vitis HLS block. The performance of the FFT can be measured by its ability to process incoming “frames” of data continuously; this is where the timeline trace is useful.

With several invocations of the FFT, the trace shows idle time (if any) between the invocations.

The following graph is a timeline trace view in the Vitis tool.

The view is available after simulation of the RTL is generated

by C synthesis; the test vectors are the same as the ones in the original C++ testbench.

A 500 MHz target is attainable in Versal devices mostly because the Versal DSP Engine has native floating-point support for multipliers and adders.

This FFT C++ code can be reused as is for other AMD FPGA architectures. To see the effect of actual place and route results, implement the design in the Vivado Design Suite.

Some quantitative results for this 1,024-point FFT:

Conclusion

C++ algorithms yield high-performance results when compiled with AMD Vitis HLS tool. The source code typically requires adaptation to create an efficient description mappable onto hardware. The Vitis IDE helps synthesize and validate performance goals through text reports and graphical tools.

Functional verification is fast depending on the amount of data sent by the testbench.

The AMD Vitis software platform helps develop designs that include FPGA fabric, Arm® processor subsystems, and AI Engines. The higher level of abstraction for design development helps to reduce design times.

We connect and protect

MIL Certified, Modified COTS Designed to protect vital electronics in any rugged environment.

Learn more at

nVent.com/SCHROFF/Varistar-CP-Mil ©2025 nVent. SCHROFF-AD-N1477850-A&DVaristarCPMIL-USEN-2509

COTS Journal | September 2025

23

TECHNOLOGY FOCUS

Engineering Rugged Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) Drive Packs to Enhance Combat Readiness

24

COTS Journal | September 2025

By Alan High and Joshua Eckley, Alan High is a senior systems architect, and Joshua Eckley is a senior mechanical engineer at Crystal Group.

Designing storage solutions for defense applications is a constant balancing act between performance, durability, and operational constraints. As military missions increasingly rely on advanced sensors, onboard analytics, and AI-driven applications, the demand for high-speed, ruggedized storage continues to escalate. Crystal Group has decades of experience addressing this challenge with rugged removable drive pack technology.

These legacy rugged drive pack solutions have been tailored for Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) drives, which boosts performance while meeting stringent security and reliability requirements.

The Core Challenge: Size, Weight, and Power

Size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints are the most pressing challenge when designing a rugged drive pack. Military customers want small, lightweight systems that don’t generate excess heat. SWaP constraints are particularly significant in airborne applications, where weight restrictions are severe and excess heat can compromise avionics performance. Drive packs must deliver massive storage capacity and blazing-fast throughput in a compact, manageable form factor — without overwhelming power budgets or cooling systems.

The adoption of NVMe technology is transforming drive pack design. It’s primarily a speed game. Compared with legacy Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) or Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) drives, NVMe delivers dramatically higher bandwidth thanks to its use of the Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) bus.

SATA maxes out at around six gigabits per second (Gbps), and SCSI is even slower. SAS offered up to 24 Gbps, but it’s not widely used anymore. NVMe, on the other hand, scales with PCIe. Since PCIe doubles every few years, available storage bandwidth doubles too. This is keeping pace with computing and sensor technologies.

That scalability makes NVMe indispensable for modern military systems, where data collection rates from advanced sensors may overwhelm legacy interfaces. From full-motion video to AI-driven edge analytics, storage must keep up to avoid bottlenecking the mission.

NVMe technology provides enhanced data storage in a small package that customers demand. Using SATA drives would require a larger footprint.

However, performance comes at a cost. The faster the performance, the more heat it generates. Unlike earlier storage media that typically consumed just 3 to 5 watts, NVMe drives can draw 15 to 25 watts each. This dramatically increases thermal load and the need for cooling.

Cooling: From Data Center Comfort to Harsh Battlefield Environments

Data center drives are designed to operate in stable, climate-controlled environments. Rugged drive packs, however, must maintain performance in desert heat, arctic cold, and everything in between. Essentially, COTS NVMe drives designed for 30°C (86°F) data centers are being adapted for extreme environments where temperatures can far exceed the thermal

Designed for mission-critical environments, NVMe drive packs simplify operations by consolidating storage and enabling rapid data transfer.

COTS Journal | September 2025

25

limits of these drives.

To assure performance in a wide temperature range in field environments, Crystal Group uses a range of different form factors and cooling methods. These may include: • Passive Conduction cooling via heat sinks and cold plates.

• Forced-air cooling with optimized airflow across the chassis.

• Liquid cooling for the most demanding environments.

The cooling solution is always tailored to customer requirements. If a platform already has liquid cooling available, the design will be adjusted to integrate with liquid cooling, the preferred cooling solution for maximized performance. If liquid cooling is not available, the design is optimized for air or Conduction.

Regardless of cooling method, placement is a key consideration. This can include making the drive pack the first component in the cooling loop or positioning it at the chassis front, where it gets the most superb airflow. In the most thermally challenging environments, simulation and testing are critical.

Crystal Group will model thermal performance in advance and then validate in the lab with real-world drives to ensure drive temperatures remain within spec.

in the case of Crystal Group’s 2x2 Quad Pack, a single lever mechanism. This reduction in fasteners decreases service time, minimizes hardware wear, and improves overall maintainability in the field. Fastener reduction cuts removal time dramatically and enhances ease of use.

The mounting design may also improve thermal performance. Instead of cooling individual drives, engineers can cool the entire pack at once.

Reliability and Ruggedization

Frequent swapping introduces another challenge: connector wear. To address this, Crystal Group uses high-reliability connectors rated for thousands of insertion cycles, combined with mechanical guide features that ensure precise alignment.

Guides take the stress off the connector itself. Every time the pack is inserted, the guides ensure it lines up properly, so the connector doesn’t incur excessive wear.

Beyond connectors, ruggedization covers a broad spectrum: • Shock and vibration resistance for ground vehicles and aircraft.

• Ingress protection against dust and moisture.

• Conformal coatings to guard against humidity and environmental contaminants.

At Crystal Group, the level of ruggedization is tailored to match customer requirements. Fully sealed, IP67 waterproof, liquid-cooled packs can be made immersion-ready, while aircooled models rely on conformal coatings and dust mitigation.

Security and Encryption

Teamwork in action: Engineers combine expertise to design and deliver rugged, reliable systems.

Hot-Swappable Drive Packs: Enabling Fast Turnaround

One of the defining features of modern military drive packs is hot-swap ability. This is the ability to remove and replace drives quickly without powering down the system.

This capability is particularly valuable for aircraft. After a mission, crews can pull out a full drive pack containing sensitive or mission-critical data, insert a fresh pack, and relaunch the aircraft with minimal downtime. Ground vehicles benefit too, though their downtime requirements are often less stringent.

Historically, rugged drive pack designs made swapping cumbersome. Earlier drive sled designs made replacement labor-intensive, often requiring multiple thumb screws per drive. Modern designs streamline this process, reducing the requirement to just one or two fasteners per drive pack—or,

26

COTS Journal | September 2025

For guaranteed performance, physical ruggedization is only half the equation. In defense environments, protecting classified data is paramount. Most military customers require drives that meet FIPS 140-3 encryption standards. These self-encrypting drives (SEDs) can form the foundation of a Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) architecture, where multiple layers of encryption protect data-at-rest.

Security measures extend beyond encryption and include: • Physical security: Removing drive packs post-mission for secure storage.

• Mechanical tamper resistance: Tamper-proof hardware prevents unauthorized disassembly.

• Layered encryption: Combining SEDs with additional software encryption ensures only authorized users have access to sensitive information.

This layered approach allows military operators to both physically and digitally safeguard data under a wide range of operational conditions.

Standardization Versus Customization

Although drive packs share a common internal architecture by utilizing COTS drives, their external design is highly specific to customers. However, the exterior, including connectors, form factor, and cooling interface, is tailored to the platform. One customer might need a sealed, liquid-cooled design; another might prioritize air-cooled efficiency in a smaller footprint.

Drive pack design must maintain interoperability where possible while delivering application-specific ruggedization.

Looking Ahead: Rising Power, Rising Heat

The most significant trend shaping the future of drive packs is the continued increase in power consumption. Legacy drives, on average, pulled around 3-5 watts. NVMe drives are pulling 15-25 watts each. Cooling NVMe drives is a design priority from the start.

Speed and capacity gains are essential for today’s missions, but they come with real thermal challenges. These can be solved with enhanced cooling, but it’s something that must be engineered into every solution. Rugged drive packs are precision-engineered systems balancing SWaP constraints, thermal management, ruggedization, and security.

By adapting COTS NVMe technology for the battlefield, engineers must overcome challenges of heat and operational integration. The payoff is mission-critical high-speed data storage that enables real-time analytics, rapid mission turnaround, and confidence in the field.

As data volumes continue to grow and missions become increasingly sensor- and AI-driven, rugged drive packs will remain at the core of military computing architectures.

COTS Journal | September 2025

27

September 2025

COT’S PICKS

VarTech Systems Unveils the All-Weather 5th Generation Product Family Enhanced Durability, Compact Design, and Improved Engineering for Rugged Environments VarTech Systems Inc. is excited to announce the launch of its All-Weather 5th Generation series. The most rugged environments require a lineup of computers and monitors featuring the best protection, refined engineering, and increased versatility, while maintaining compatibility with previous generations.

This superior sealing ability is aided by a few vital design upgrades: • VESA/RAM Mount • Console Extreme • Console Mount (Newly Added) • Panel Mount (Newly Added) • Rack Mount (Newly Added) • Compact and Backward Compatible • VarTech has slimmed down and lightened the overall dimensions of each unit. The reduced footprint improves portability and ensures backwards compatibility with the All-Weather 4th Generation (AW4) when older CXA (console extreme aluminum) mounting patterns are needed.

The new generation minimizes engineering time while enabling future-proof enhancements: • Intended to simplify custom enclosure configurations • Allows for the implementation of water-cooling technology • Built to support scalable implementation of AI technologies.

The All-Weather 5th Generation design emphasizes assembly efficiency, featuring a more elegant aesthetic with edge bezel trim, a milled VarTech logo, and a smooth-edged button pocket for a streamlined appearance.

KRYTAR Announces New 4X4 BUTLER Matrix Operating from 2.4 GHz to 7.25 GHz KRYTAR, Inc. announces a New 4×4 BUTLER Matrix with broadband frequency coverage from 2.4 to 7.25 GHz. A Butler matrix is a beamforming network used to feed a phased array of antenna elements. Its purpose is to control the direction of a beam, or beams, of radio transmission. KRYTAR’s long history of excellence in the design of broadband microwave components affords the ability to produce unique broadband passive beamforming network solutions to the wireless communications market.

The New 4X4 Butler Matrix, Model KBM90240725, uses KRYTAR’s own high-performance 90- and 180-degree Hybrid Couplers providing super phase accuracy, amplitude imbalance, stability, and repeatability.

Offering coverage from 2.4 to 7.25 GHz, this KRYTAR Butler Matrix delivers superior electrical performance in a single ruggedized package. It is the ideal choice for antenna array beamforming, 5G NR (New Ra-

28

COTS Journal | September 2025

dio), Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E, mmWave, MIMO (Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output) radio links, multi-path simulation and performance evaluation, and many other upcoming applications operating within the higher frequency bands.

KRYTAR’s technological advances provide excellent operating performance of this new Model KBM90240725 4X4 Butler Matrix. Covering the frequency range from 2.4 to 7.25.0 GHz (S- and C-Bands), this Butler Matrix provides ±0.8 dB of Maximum Amplitude Imbalance and Maximum Phase Imbalance of ±8.9 degrees. This Butler Matrix exhibits an Insertion Loss of <7.9 dB with a Maximum Input and Output VSWR of 1.5:1 dB and an Isolation of 14 dB. Average Power rating is 20 watts.

Model KBM90240725 Butler Matrix is a compact package measuring just 4.75 inches (L) x 3.46 inches (W) x 1.11 inches (H), and comes with standard SMA female coaxial connectors.

KRYTAR’s 4×4 Butler Matrix family utilizes KRYTAR’s high-performance 90- and 180-degree Hybrid Couplers, providing coverage of multiple microwave bands from 0.5 to 40 GHz. This offers super phase accuracy, amplitude imbalance, stability, and repeatability, all within a single compact package with coaxial connectors.

September 2025

COT’S PICKS

Acromag Expands Rugged I/O with mPCIe-Based AcroPack® Modules Acromag has expanded its popular AcroPack® product line with a family of mPCIe-based rugged mezzanine I/O modules, engineered to deliver maximum I/O density and design flexibility for embedded computing systems.

When paired with AcroPack carrier cards, these compact modules seamlessly integrate into platforms including PCIe, VPX, XMC, CompactPCI® Serial, PCIe/104, and Mini-ITX, offering developers a powerful way to consolidate diverse I/O functions in a single slot.

Designed for demanding defense, aerospace, and industrial applications, AcroPack modules support a wide range of functions including A/D and D/A conversion, digital I/O, Ethernet, counter/timers, serial communications, MIL-STD-1553, and FPGA-based customization. The rugged construction ensures reliable performance across a -40°C to +70°C operating range, while low-power consumption makes them ideal for SWaP-constrained systems.

With a mix-and-match architecture, engineers can com-

bine multiple AcroPack types on one carrier to meet specific application requirements without costly redesigns. This modular approach accelerates development cycles, reduces integration complexity, and extends system lifecycle support.

By merging high density, rugged reliability, and standards-based versatility, Acromag’s mPCIe AcroPack® modules provide a future-ready solution for next-generation embedded I/O challenges.

Enersys Launches Hawker® Armasafe™ Ion-X Batteries For Military Vehicle Applications EnerSys is making a key addition to its Hawker battery portfolio with the launch of Hawker ARMASAFE iON-X 24-volt batteries. Featuring rechargeable lithium-ion technology in two models – 105 Ah and 162 Ah – these 6T size batteries are designed for both high-current vehicle starting applications and the high energy storage power needs of onboard electronics and accessories.

“Modern military vehicles have become mobile command centers outfitted with a range of mission-critical, power-hungry electronics and systems,” said Mark Matthews, Chief Technology Officer and President Specialty Global at EnerSys. “Our Hawker® ARMASAFE™ iON-X batteries are engineered to provide these vehicles with a robust energy storage solution to support these systems and facilitate mission success. Complementing our field-proven Hawker® AGM TPPL battery solutions, these high-power lithium-ion batteries are equipped to power today’s most energy-intensive vehicle applications and to meet the rising energy demands of tomorrow’s military.”

Lightweight and energy-dense, these 6TLI 24-volt batteries benefit from over 20 years of lithium-ion development and

manufacturing expertise delivered by our Bren-Tronics LLC business segment. These 6TLI batteries offer long cycle life for many military applications, including tactical/combat vehicles, silent watch operations, robotics, unmanned vehicles, and weapon systems.

Hawker ARMASAFE iON-X batteries meet MIL-PRF-32565C requirements and are backed by the same exceptional Hawker service, support, and training that the US Government and Military have been relying on for decades to help minimize battery downtime and cut operating costs.

COTS Journal | September 2025

29

September 2025

COT’S PICKS

Echodyne Launches EchoShield® Rapid Deployment Kit

Echodyne, the radar platform company, announces the immediate availability of the Rapid Deployment Kit (RDK) for its market-leading metamaterials electronically scanned array (MESA®) EchoShield radar. EchoShield is a software-defined, multi-mission, multi-domain, multi-modal radar with exceptional accuracy and advanced AI-based classification in increasingly high demand for air domain awareness and counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) solutions.

With the proliferation of drones in the airspace comes a requirement for rapidly establishing situational awareness zones that detect, track, identify, and enable mitigation of threats. The RDK is designed for quick and straightforward deployment of four radars for robust, high-accuracy hemispherical coverage. Adding the RDK to the EchoShield portfolio creates leading positions in every modality, from fixed sites and full on-the-move (OTM) capabilities, to now include rapidly deployable temporary missions.

Key benefits of the EchoShield RDK include: • High durability and rapid assembly: The RDK is made of durable steel components and a multi-axis tripod and designed to be operational in less than one hour (<1 hr).

• An integrated junction box and power supply unit: Engineered to withstand the harshest environments, the tripod-mounted radar platform includes simplified wiring and power management through an integrated junction box and

power supply unit (see junction box and power supply unit specifications below).

• Access to high-accuracy hemispherical coverage: The RDK provides a 25km high-accuracy situational awareness hemisphere to detect, track, and classify drones of all shapes, sizes, models, and capabilities.

• Junction Box Specifications: Ready mount for tripod, 4-channel junction box for 4x EchoShield radars, Integrated Layer-2 Switch, Single C2 interface, Single Power interface.

• Power Supply Unit Specifications: Ready mount for tripod, COMROD ComPact 2400 PSU, Supports 4x EchoShield + other equipment, Available with 5-15P, Type E/F, Type G cable options.

“Drones have changed the very nature of how we think about perimeter surveillance and situational awareness,” said Eben Frankenberg, CEO of Echodyne. “Our MESA radar systems have been central to ensuring that one sensor can provide heightened awareness simultaneously in air and surface domains. The EchoShield Rapid Deployment Kit allows every customer to establish high-accuracy hemispherical situational awareness quickly.”

Echodyne combines the lowest size, weight, and power (SWaP) requirements with the industry’s most robust on-radar software platform. With radars leading in short- and medium-range categories, Echodyne’s RDK accelerates EchoShield deployments and ensures mission success.

OnLogic Reaches Extreme Edge with Launch of Ultra-Rugged Karbon 520 Series New industrial computers, powered by Intel Core Ultra processing, provide reliable operation, wide temperature support, and automotive power for the world’s most challenging environments.

Global industrial computer hardware manufacturer OnLogic (www. onlogic.com) today announced the launch of its rugged Karbon 520 Series of industrial computers. Engineered to thrive in the most challenging conditions, the Karbon 520 Series brings powerful, scalable computing to a wide range of applications from industrial automation and robotics to autonomous mobile systems.

The Karbon 520 Series follows the recent launch of the Helix 520 Series. This family of products is built on a typical core architecture, allowing users to prototype on a single platform and deploy across a wide range of

30

COTS Journal | September 2025

environments.

“With the launch of the Karbon 520 Series, we’re extending the capabilities of our industrial platforms to give users even more flexibility in where and how they deploy computing power,” said Hunter Golden, OnLogic Senior Product Manager. “By combining the Helix and Karbon 520 Series, customers can now leverage the same powerful Intel Core Ultra processing, but with enhanced ruggedization, a wider temperature range, and specialized features like automotive power, which makes it possible to deploy the same scalable core platform across a variety of operational environments.”

Unstoppable Performance & Scalability Anywhere The Karbon 520 Series delivers exceptional performance and integrated AI capabilities with an onboard NPU for efficient, localized processing.

The platform is highly customizable, supporting up to 96 GB of DDR5 memory and offering expansion options for advanced workloads, including support for NVIDIA MXM AI GPUs. A key feature of the Karbon 520 Series is its robust construction, with some models offering a passively cooled, fanless design that can operate in an industry-leading -40°C to 70°C operating temperature range. The system is also built to withstand continuous vibration and shock, validated

by MIL-STD-810H testing, making it ideal for mobile and high-impact applications. This enhanced durability ensures consistent and dependable

September 2025

COT’S PICKS operation, minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity.

“Enhanced by Intel Core Ultra’s ruggedization, wide temperature support, and integrated NPU, the OnLogic Karbon 520 Series is an ideal solution for demanding edge AI use cases in industrial and mobile environments. From fleet management to factory automation, this device is a fantastic example of hardware engineered to address these demanding needs,” says Michael Masci, vice president, product management of the Edge Computing Group, Intel Corporation.

The Karbon 520 Series is designed for seamless integration and provides a wide range of connectivity options. Systems can be configured with OnLogic’s unique ModBay expansion for unparalleled I/O flexibility, or PCIe expansion for specialized I/O or GPUs.

For demanding mobile applications, the Karbon 520 also features automotive power input with programmable ignition timing, making it ideal for direct integration into vehicles and other mobile platforms.

The system has also undergone extensive EMC testing, including 60601-1-2 Medical immunity, expanding its applications to sensitive healthcare environments.

Aitech to Debut New A230 Vortex AI GPGPU Supercomputer, Demonstrating Real-Time Pattern of Life Analysis and Asset Detection at the Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering & Technology Symposium (GVSETS) & Modernization Update Aitech announced the Aitech A230 Vortex AI GPGPU (general-purpose computing on graphics processing units) supercomputer, a first-of-its-kind AI-on-the-edge solution. Designed to support military operations across all environments, the A230 is available in both conduction- and forced-air-cooled variants, making it suitable for sea, land, and air platforms. Its counterpart, the S-A2300, is radiation-tolerant and specifically designed for operation in harsh Low Earth Orbit (LEO) space environments.

The A230 Vortex offers AI-on-the-edge computing with near-realtime pattern of life analysis and actionable intelligence, enabling more intelligent decision-making and optimizing the Observe, Orient, Decide, Act (OODA) loop, even in contested and disconnected environments.

In today’s increasingly complex battlespaces, giving warfighters an advantage means identifying critical datapoints for split-second decision-making. When equipped with the A230, ground vehicle operators can receive alerts within seconds if the GPGPU detects unusual objects or deviations in the surrounding environment, empowering the driver and crew with real-time intelligence to make faster, more informed decisions.

“As the need for smarter, faster and more adaptive technologies grows, ultimately to improve and accelerate the OODA loop, the focus is on AI solutions to help make critical decisions in real time; intelligent systems that can think and react quickly, no matter where they’re deployed or what conditions they face,” said Pratish Shah, U.S. general manager, Aitech. “The combination of Aitech’s AI supercomputer and partner Intuidex’s Watchman Analytics™ offers a breakthrough in delivering real-time insight for more accurate decisions within seconds and improved effectiveness of actions, making it a valuable asset for military ground vehicles and beyond.”

The new solution ensures that military operations are agile, precise, and responsive, leading to better overall mission outcomes through new capabilities leveraging Watchman Analytics, including: • Unmatched Situational Awareness: Provides data fusion, ex-

traction, analysis, monitoring, and search capabilities for advanced situational awareness, leveraging multiple sources of intelligence data, correlation, prediction, forecasting, and pattern of life and anomaly detection.

• Autonomous Warfighter Protection: Optimizes force readiness and safeguards warfighters with advanced target recognition and signal processing • Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance: Uses real-time pattern of life analysis and actionable intelligence to deliver enhanced asset detection and classification to support more thoughtful decision-making; accommodates multiple data sources, including imagery, while simultaneously running threat detection algorithms.

• Mission Agnostic: Dynamically updates incident, event, object, or threat detection priorities to meet ever-changing mission needs; supports the rapid identification of anomalies, shields communication and control systems from breaches for rapid response • Communications and Networking: Manages high-speed processing and learning algorithms directly on board, adapting to changing situations without relying on a constant connection to command centers to prioritize traffic, reduce delays, and improve decision-making on the ground to connect and protect the warfighter The A230 AI Supercomputer is now available in an active fancooled option specifically designed to support the environmental requirements of today’s military ground vehicle applications. Internal fans offer active cooling to help dissipate heat efficiently, ensuring the system can support prolonged operations with intense computational demands in environments with temperature extremes. Meanwhile, the fanless conduction-cooled A230 variant efficiently dissipates heat through heatsinks, fins, and chassis-integrated cold plates, making it ideal for tightly sealed systems where active airflow isn’t an option.

COTS Journal | September 2025

31

September 2025

COT’S PICKS Concurrent Launches Bragi: High-Performance GPGPU Card Built with NVIDIA Blackwell Architecture Concurrent announced the release of Bragi, a rugged 3U OpenVPX GPGPU processing card in partnership with EIZO Rugged Solutions. Bragi combines the latest NVIDIA RTX™ PRO 4000 and 5000 GPUs, based on the new Blackwell architecture, with the proven reliability and integration support that customers expect from Concurrent.

Bragi is designed for demanding C5ISR and HPEC applications requiring high-performance AI processing at the edge. It is fully SOSA® aligned and supports both conduction-cooled and air-flowthrough variants, making it suitable for deployment in space-constrained and thermally challenging environments.

Miles Adcock, CEO, said: “We’ve developed our partnership with EIZO Rugged Solutions over many years, and are delighted that we have the rare ability to sell their flagship AI-enabling product Concurrent announced the release of Bragi, a rugged 3U OpenVPX GPGPU processing card in partnership with EIZO Rugged Solutions. Bragi combines the latest NVIDIA RTX™ PRO 4000 and 5000 GPUs, based on the new Blackwell architecture, with the proven reliability and integration support that customers expect from Concurrent.

Bragi is designed for demanding C5ISR and HPEC applications requiring high-performance AI processing at the edge. It is fully SOSA® aligned and supports both conduction-cooled and air-flowthrough variants, making it suitable for deployment in space-constrained and thermally challenging environments.

Miles Adcock, CEO, said: “We’ve developed our partnership with EIZO Rugged Solutions over many years, and are delighted that we have the rare ability to sell their flagship AI-enabling product as one of our own. In addition to enhancing our portfolio, this is highly reassuring to customers who wish to be confident that the

elements of a system will work flawlessly together. We’ve invested in the technical ability to deeply integrate and support the GPGPUs from EIZO Rugged Solutions as part of our ongoing mission to provide customers with the very latest technology.”

Bragi’s design addresses the requirements of modern defence and aerospace platforms, particularly those balancing advanced AI workloads with SWaP constraints and legacy system compatibility. Built around Blackwell architecture, the product delivers up to 1,824 FP4 AI TOPS, enhanced video encoding/decoding, and high-bandwidth memory access via PCIe Gen 5 and GDDR7 ECC memory.

Key Specifications: • Built on NVIDIA RTX PRO™ 4000 or 5000 GPUs (Blackwell) • 16 GB or 24 GB GDDR7 graphics memory with ECC • Up to 10,496 CUDA® cores, 320 Tensor cores, 80 RT cores • PCI Express Gen 5 and 256-bit memory interface • H.265, H.264, and AV1 codec support • 9th Gen NVENC encoders and 6th Gen NVDEC decoders • NVIDIA GPUDirect® RDMA support • SOSA® aligned • Conforms to MIL-STD-810 for shock, vibration, and temperature A Trusted Collaboration Concurrent and EIZO Rugged Solutions have a proven track record of working together to deliver high-performance embedded computing products. Bragi builds on this foundation, enabling fast deployment for customers needing reliable, high-throughput AI and video processing in the field.

Abaco Systems Launches MAGIC2 Next-Gen High-Performance Modular Mission Computer Abaco Systems proudly announces the launch of the MAGIC2, a high-performance, modular mission computer designed for rugged computing in aerospace and defense applications. The MAGIC2 is a 3U VPX two-slot line replaceable unit (LRU) that features options for Intel Xeon and Core i7 CPUs with NVIDIA RTX ADA5000 and A2000 GPUs, delivering exceptional compute and AI capabilities in a low SWaP-C3 form factor.

Aligned with SOSA and MOSA standards, MAGIC2 offers extensive customization options for CPU, GPU, XMC, I/O, cooling, and memory—making it ideal for mission-critical applications such as situational awareness, data/radar processing, video processing (EO/IR), classification, and artificial intelligence.

32

COTS Journal | September 2025

Key Features of the MAGIC2: • 2 slot modular 3U VPX LRU with customizable CPU, GPU, XMC, I/O PSU, and cooling configurations • Intel Core i7 13th Gen or Xeon W 11th Gen CPUs • NVIDIA RTX ADA5000, A2000, or Quadro P2000 GPUs • MOSA and SOSA® aligned modules • Pin-compatible I/O panels for MAGIC1 / MAGIC1A customers • Removable SSD storage up to 8TB with fast purge • VITA 62 300W power supply • MIL-STD-810H, MIL-STD-461G, DO-160G qualified • Linux and Windows OS support • Fan, Fin, and Finless cooling options “The MAGIC2 system represents a leap forward in modular mission computing,” said Simon Collins, Director of Product Management at Abaco Systems.

“Its off-the-shelf modularity and high-performance compute capabilities make it a

September 2025

COT’S PICKS compelling solution for aerospace and defense platforms requiring scalable, rugged, and future-proofed systems. Also, the wide range of component options allows users to tailor performance to their mission requirements.”

• • • •

The new MAGIC2 is also available in multiple preconfigured variants, including...

•

Echo: Intel Xeon W + ADA5000, General I/O Delta: Core i7 + A2000 GPU, Avionics I/O, 3G-SDI Charlie: Core i7 + A2000 GPU, Avionics I/O Bravo: Core i7 + P2000 XMC, MAGIC1A I/O compatible, 3G-SDI Alpha: Dual Xeon W + P2000 XMC, Avionics I/O, 3G-SDI

Tektronix introduces 7 Series DPO, setting a new benchmark in ultra-high-performance test and measurement.

Powered by proprietary ASICs, the oscilloscope delivers the industry’s lowest noise, highest ENOB, and up to 10x faster data offload.

Tektronix announced the 7 Series DPO oscilloscope, the first in a new generation of ultra-high-performance instruments. Engineered to deliver the industry’s lowest noise and highest ENOB, and architected for scale, the 7 Series launches with bandwidth up to 25 GHz. Featuring Tek’s latest signal path and data processing advancements—including two newly developed, custom ASICs— this new oscilloscope is purpose-built for engineering teams and researchers pushing the boundaries of high-speed communications, high-energy physics, AI, and quantum computing.

With up to 10x faster data offload than legacy instruments1, it helps teams capture and analyze complex signals with dramatically less noise—helping them see more, know more, and move faster.

“When the limits of your test system become the limits of your innovation, it’s time for a new approach,” said Chris Bohn, President at Tektronix.

“The 7 Series was designed in collaboration with engineers working on the world’s most complex challenges, so it reflects what they need most, including high-frequency coverage, low noise, and fast analysis. This scope gives our customers the capabilities and confidence they need to achieve breakthroughs.”

A new benchmark for precision at the performance edge Early customer collaborators include researchers in high-energy physics, leading semiconductor manufacturers, national labs, and RF system integrators—all of whom helped shape the series’ priority features: Unmatched signal fidelity – ultra-low random noise delivers industry-leading effective number of bits (ENOB) – 7.5 bits at 8 GHz to 6.5 bits at 25 GHz – providing crystal-clear precision across the full bandwidth range

Visibility without compromise – QuietChannel™ technology applies active equalization to compensate for high-speed signal loss, reducing noise and increasing measurement fidelity Breakthrough speed – up to 10x faster data transfer with 10G SFP+ LAN, and the TekHSI™ library accelerates high-throughput validation.

Designed for scale – upgradeable architecture and TekConnect® probe interface compatibility safeguard long-term investment Engineered for modern workflows – native serial analysis tools, a 15.6” 1080p touchscreen, and dual support for both Windows and Linux to streamline validation and accelerate insight Powered by proprietary, custom silicon The 7 Series DPO is built on a next-generation signal path architecture that combines custom ASICs, optimized FPGAs, and a high-performance GPU to reduce noise, preserve signal integrity, and accelerate analysis. At its core are Tektronix’s latest chipsets— Tek079 and Tek085—the silicon foundation for a new generation of oscilloscopes built for scale, advancing to higher bandwidths while maintaining the industry’s lowest noise and highest ENOB. This latest silicon reflects years of focused engineering to push measurement precision in demanding environments, and a close partnership with metrology experts to ensure every specification is rigorously validated for trusted accuracy.

Seamless experience enabled by the TekScope software The 7 Series is equipped with TekScope® software, recognized for its intuitive design, cross-platform consistency, and instant, touch-optimized access to deep insights. It unifies the user interface and programmatic control, providing a seamless experience across workflows and applications—accelerating discovery and innovation.

COTS Journal | September 2025

33

September 2025

COT’S PICKS

INVISIO announces H-Series: A new generation of tactical smart hubs that drastically improves battlefield efficiency Tactical communication expert INVISIO is announcing the H-Series, a new generation of tactical smart hubs for professionals in mission-critical environments. It unifies radios, sensors, EUDs, laptops, audio, and power into a single connected system, resulting in a faster setup, fewer failure points, and quicker decisions under pressure.

Tactical smart hubs to unify hardware

Communication on today’s battlefield relies on data, not just voice. Soldiers carry radios, digital devices, batteries, smartphones, and laptops - often from different generations and vendors. These devices don’t naturally work together. Traditional hubs only pass power and signals, forcing operators to juggle adapters, manual setups, and device-specific apps. In high-pressure missions, that complexity can put success - and safety - at risk.

A tactical smart hub is different. It unifies separate devices into one system. By removing all the complexity, it delivers faster access to mission-critical data, streamlined power distribution, and simplified control. The result is reduced cognitive load on the operator and more focus on the mission.

H-Series: Designed for the modern battlefield

The INVISIO H-series meets the needs of modern soldiers. It dramatically reduces operator burden and accelerates mission readiness by offering: • Embedded computing: Mission-critical software can run on the hub itself, not just on the EUD. This reduces latency and keeps essential functions online.

• Data routing: The hubs act as a router, prioritizing and forwarding data between radios, EUDs, and sensors, so teams receive the correct information

• • •

at the right time.

Centralized power control: Power is distributed and prioritized based on role or mission profile to maximize system runtime and keep the most critical devices alive.

Open and updatable: An optimized operating system with secure boot, no storage of data-at-rest, a web-based configuration UI, and over-the-air updates turns the hub into an adaptable, serviceable asset, not a black box.

Interoperability: Bridges legacy and modern devices so that organizations can modernize and interoperate with partners without complete replacement.

Two models for different mission profiles • •

H4: 4-port, low-profile, lightweight hub for streamlined setups.

H6: 6-port hub with expanded connectivity for complex mission profiles.

Preparing for what’s next in tactical operations

With the H-series, INVISIO is enabling organizations to prepare for a future of tactical operations that is increasingly software-defined, networked, and mobile. As platforms and systems evolve, hubs like the INVISIO H-Series will be key to bridging legacy systems with emerging tech. From drone feeds to Battle Management System overlays, the hub will enable the unification of equipment, faster sharing of information, and greater precision in planning and execution.

“This launch reflects the broader direction of INVISIO; delivering modular and scalable systems that are ready for what’s next in modern missions,” says Lars Højgaard, CEO at INVISIO. “This is more than a product announcement. It’s a step toward the kind of integrated systems that modern operations demand. We’re committed to leading that shift.”

Curtiss-Wright Introduces SOSA Aligned VPX6-682E 100 GbE Switch For High-Performance Embedded Systems New Fabric100™ switch delivers rugged, low-power 6U 100 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity for modular open systems sensor processing applications.

Curtiss-Wright today announced the release of the VPX6-682E, a new Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA®) aligned 6U 100 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) switch developed to meet the data throughput demands of advanced high-performance embedded computing (HPEC) and C5ISR systems. As the latest addition to Curtiss-Wright’s Fabric100 ecosystem, the VPX6-682E delivers the bandwidth, scalability, and efficiency required for significant, high-speed signal and sensor processing platforms at the tactical edge.

Designed to simplify system integration and reduce development risk, the VPX6-682E enhances interoperability and accelerates certification by aligning with Curtiss-Wright’s Fabric100 ecosystem of computing solutions.

Featuring dual high-efficiency switching cores and available with conduction-cooled and Liquid Flow Through (LFT) cooling options as part of its rugged system design, the VPX6-682E optimizes system performance and thermal management in the most demanding environments.

34

COTS Journal | September 2025

Key Features of the VPX6-682E: •

Fully managed multi-layer Ethernet switch supporting configuration, monitoring, and control features, including QoS, VLAN, ACL, and PTP support • 100, 50, 40, 25, and 10 Gb Ethernet interfaces over copper and optional optical backplane connections • Dual-switch architecture, leveraging two highly efficient 100 GbE devices, delivers significantly lower power consumption than competing single-switch designs.

• SOSA aligned OpenVPX 6U profile with full Fabric100 ecosystem compatibility • Available in conduction-cooled or advanced LFT cooling with complete lifecycle support services The VPX6-682E is ideally suited for embedded applications that demand real-time, high-throughput connectivity, including radar, EO/IR sensor fusion, autonomous systems, and signals intelligence. When combined with the CHAMPXD4 (VPX6-485) dual Intel Xeon D-2800 processor card and the CHAMP-FX7 (VPX6-476) dual AMD Versal Premium Adaptive SoC (FPGA) processor card, these 6U modules form an interoperable, low-risk suite of products with 100 Gb Ethernet connectivity for architecting advanced HPEC systems. Aligned with the SOSA® Technical Standard, supports a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) to ensure long-term upgradeability, faster adaptation to evolving requirements, and reduced integration risk.

COTS

ADVERTISERS Company

Website

Page #

Annapolis Micro Systems. . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.annapmicro.com

4

Index

Behlman Electronics. . . . . . . . . IFC/BC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.behlman.com Dolphin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

IBC

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.dolphinics.com/COTS

Great River Technology. . . . . .

12

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.greatrivertech.com

Highland Technology. . . . . . . .

27

. . . . . . . . . . . . .www.highlandtechnology.com

MPL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.mpl.ch

nVent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

23

. . . www.nVent.com/schroff/varistar-cp-mil

ODU. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.odu-aerospace.com

OTEK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

14

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.otekcorp.com

PICO Electronics, Inc. . . . . . . .

4

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.picoelectronics.com

COTS Journal (ISSN#1526-4653) is published monthly at; 110 S Rancho Santa Fe, Virgin UT 84779. Periodicals Class postage paid at San Clemente and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to COTS Journal, 110 S Rancho Santa Fe PO 790039, Virgin UT 84779.

is re-published each month on

https://issuu.com/rtcgroup Last month, more than 18,000 readers downloaded COTS Journal. This pushes our monthly readers to over 50,000 each month.

This pushes our monthly readers to over 50,000 each month.

Issuu allows you to look back at all the great issues of COTS Journal and is the perfect resource to find articles on the most interesting topics for you.

Thanks to our partnership with Issuu, more people can enjoy COTS Journal each month.

Contact us;

RTC Media

110 S Rancho Santa Fe PO 790039 Virgin UT Phone: (949) 226-2023

www.rtc-media.com

BEHLMAN LEADS THE PACK AGAIN! FIRST PROVEN VPX POWER SUPPLIES DEVELOPED IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE SOSA™ TECHNICAL STANDARD

Behlman introduces the first test-proven VPX power supplies developed in alignment with the SOSA Technical Standard. Like all Behlman VPXtra® power supplies, these 3U and 6U COTS DC-to-DC high-power dual output units feature Xtra-reliable design and Xtra-rugged construction to stand up to the rigors of all mission-critical airborne, shipboard, ground and mobile applications.

VPXtra® 1000CD5-IQI

VPXtra® 800D-IQI

> 6U power module developed in alignment with the SOSA Technical Standard > Delivers 1050W DC power via two outputs > VITA 46.11 IPMC for integration with system management

> 3U power module developed in alignment with the SOSA Technical Standard > Delivers 800W DC power via two outputs > VITA 46.11 IPMC for integration with system management

The Power Solutions Provider SOSA™ and logo design and The Open Group Certification Mark™ are trademarks of The Open Group in the United States and other countries.

: 631-435-0410

: sales@behlman.com

: www.behlman.com