MEADS officials select Z Microsystems rugged servers, workstations for Medium Extended Air Defense System

SAN DIEGO, 27 Nov. 2012.Z Microsystems, a provider of mission-ready computing systems, is providing its ZX series of rugged servers and workstations to MEADS International in support of the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS).

The MEADS mobile air defense system, currently under development by engineers at Lockheed Martin in the U.S. and at MBDA in Germany and Italy, is designed to replace Patriot systems in the U.S. and Germany and Nike Hercules systems in Italy.

“Z Microsystems' engineers are consummate professionals in the design of systems that mitigate the risk, cost, and failure caused by harsh environmental conditions,” explains Bob Kopas, vice president of military programs at Z Microsystems. “We welcome this type of opportunity to provide a COTS product that meets precise environmental and operational requirements in a realistic timeframe.”

Z Microsystems’ staff worked closely with MEADS International’s participating companies to understand the specific application requirements. Company engineers then executed design modifications to enable its standard commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) ruggedized products to conform to the demanding requirements associated with extreme duty use. Z Microsystems performed extensive vibration testing and delivered a tested and validated product, while meeting an aggressive time schedule.

The ZX Series are designed to meet MIL-STD-810G requirements for shock, vibration, humidity, and temperature highs and lows. Each device is compact and lightweight, saving rack space while delivering a high-performance solution for mission–ready applications. Enhanced military options, such as EMI-filtered power supplies with Mil-Circular connectors and locking security panel, are also available. The ZX Series also complies with the European CE marking for safety and environmental standards.