Rugged handheld computer for front-line infantry warfighters introduced by DRS Tactical
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., 23 Feb. 2012. DRS Tactical Systems Inc. in Melbourne, Fla., is introducing Scorpion family of rugged handheld computers to improve command and control and situational awareness for front-line U.S. Army and Marine Corps warfighters who are operating on foot. DRS introduced the Scorpion rugged handheld computer this week at the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) ILW Winter Symposium and Exposition in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
DRS developed the Scorpion family by winning a contract for the Joint Battle Command-Platform Handheld System -- a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) handheld computer that runs the Android operating system and interfaces with tactical radios for battlefield information exchange.
The Scorpion features a Qualcomm Snapdragon S3 1.5 GHz dual-core processor; high-resolution 4-inch multi-touch display; an 8-megapixel camera that takes still images or HD 1080p video; 1 gigabyte of RAM; 16 gigabytes of onboard data storage, expandable to 32 gigabytes; minimum battery life of eight hours; and FlexCharge that charges the computer's battery while the device works together with tactical radios.
The handheld is 3G/4G capable with embedded Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n and Bluetooth 3.0; interfaces with radios and cell phones via USB, Ethernet, and RS232 interfaces; comes with the Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread) operating system preinstalled, and ready for Android 4.0; blackout buttons; and standard Android soft key buttons.
The Scorpion H2 rugged handheld weighs eight ounces and measures 6 by 3.2 by 1 inches. It meets MIL-STD-810 for its ability to withstand the effects of vibration, drop, shock, humidity, and salt fog.
The Scorpion family results from "optimizing size, weight, and power as well as bringing the latest Android operating system capabilities to the user,” says Mike Sarrica, vice president and general manager of DRS Tactical Systems.
The Scorpion H2 handheld computer -- the second generation of the DRS Technologies family of Scorpion handheld computers -- has a modular design that provides for future enhancements such as information assurance, extended battery life, an RFID reader, and a selective availability anti-spoofing module (SAASM) Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver.
For more information contact DRS Tactical Systems online at www.drs-ts.com.
John Keller | Editor
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
