Civilian Server Gets Military Makeover
Tracewell Systems uses supercomputing technology in
new rugged system for military, aerospace deployment
May 4, 2010
NATIONAL HARBOR, MD - May 4, 2010 - At the Navy League's 2010 Sea-Air-Space Exposition today, Ohio-based Tracewell Systems announced a new technology solution that uses commercially available "off-the-shelf" server systems as the basis for high-performance computing in harsh or unusual environments. The Rugged Blade System (RBS) will make it possible for military and aerospace organizations to deploy super computing applications in increasingly challenging areas such as those found in Defense and Homeland Security.
To help process an overwhelming amount of data collection by sensors on airplanes, ships and ground-based vehicles, as well as newer unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), RBS uses the same high-performance technology currently found in systems everywhere from the Los Alamos National Laboratories to Wall Street to Hollywood. RBS will not only operate within the full range of grueling battlefield conditions, but also has the potential to increase current computing capabilities by nearly 1,000 percent, while cutting military development, procurement and maintenance costs by up to 90 percent.
"We are at a tipping point where high-performance, standard, off-the-shelf technology is revolutionizing solutions for the military, aerospace and other categories," said Matt Tracewell, executive vice president, Tracewell Systems. "This new rugged blade solution was created to leverage present and future high-performance blade technologies, and bring these technologies to market."
In the past several years, military strategists and technology planners have been grappling with the same challenges faced in the information technology (IT) industry - the need to collect enormous amounts of data and to quickly analyze that data into clear and actionable information. In addition, the military has seen increased demand to be able to deploy technology closer to its point of use - whether in the air, on land or at sea.
Given these requirements, the new RBS is designed to meet the same U.S. military standards (MIL-SPECs) found in custom, purpose-built equipment used by the U.S. Department of Defense. Such attributes include the ability to withstand extreme shock and vibration; be shielded from any electromagnetic interference (EMI); and operate within extended temperature ranges.
For more information on RBS, please visit www.tracewell.com/rbs. The new RBS will be on display at the 2010 Sea-Air-Space Exposition starting today in booth #100.
About Tracewell Systems

Tracewell Systems provides Advanced Form Factor Engineering ™ services to organizations that need to deploy high-performance computing hardware in harsh environmental conditions, including Department of Defense agencies and companies in aerospace, healthcare, telecom and other industries. Since 1973, Tracewell Systems has provided innovative design, engineering and manufacturing services to some of the nation's largest military, aerospace and commercial organizations. The company applies industry expertise and patented technologies to create custom ruggedized systems from commercially available hardware. Tracewell Systems solutions help clients fulfill their mission IT requirements with equipment that meets the most demanding technical and environmental requirements.
Media Contacts:
Jason Stolarczyk
JSK Consulting for Tracewell Systems
+1 206.949.7776
jskconsulting@hotmail.com
