Commercial Computer Ruggedization

1The environmental requirements for Naval computer systems for critical wartime applications are to be codified and compared with the specifications of commercial marine classification agencies. These consolidated specifications will be used to which environmental performance capabilities of existing commercial computer systems and their components are critical indicators of suitability for ruggedization. Experimental data will be taken to establish or substantiate the environmental capabilities of the appropriate components. The specifications will be compared with the component capabilities and the resulting comparisons will be used to evaluate the level of additional protection (environmental isolation) which much be provided to commercial systems in the course of reggedization for 1) merchant shipping and 2) combat qualified Naval applications. It is felt that early design decisions in favor of a joint commercial/military product will product will provide novel technology enabling the development of a low cost product suitable for service in both applications. A concept for a design for a lowest cost ruggedized commercial system suitable for both Navy and merchant shipping applications will be proposed based upon the research. The results of the proposed research and development will be used in preparing a proposal for a Phase II development program.