Spectra Defense Technologies

Spectra Defense Technologies designs and manufactures rugged electronics for defense. The portfolio covers computers and servers, network attached storage, data recorders, displays and tablets, data distribution and routing, and integrated systems. Spectra works in C5ISR, which is command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

Argon, known for rugged displays, is now part of Spectra, together with Calculex and Galleon. The old Argon FDS website now leads to Spectra. Spectra was formed in 2021 by bringing these three companies together. It is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, and has 35+ years of ruggedized design heritage.

Products

Rugged displays and tablets

Displays range from 5 inch to 43 inch. Features include sunlight readability, NVG compatible (NVIS Class A and B), anti-reflective optics, and fully enclosed aluminum chassis with no holes or fans. Many are qualified to MIL-STD-810 and MIL-STD-461. Custom bezels, connectors, mounting, and resolutions are available from a library of qualified designs. Qualification by similarity is offered.

• ASD50 and ASD84 small displays
• ARD15, ARD19 and ARD21 main displays
• 4K displays: ARD24, ARD32 and ARD43
• Tablets: AT50, AT104 and AT121
• ARK200 sealed rugged keyboard

These displays are used for cockpits, ship bridges, command centers, and ground vehicles.

Data recorders

Spectra provides IRIG 106 Chapter 10 compliant recorders for flight test, telemetry, ISR and multi-sensor missions. Systems support up to 5 GB/s sustained recording with inputs that include Ethernet, MIL-STD-1553, PCM, ARINC 429, sFPDP, fiber optic and video. Removable storage is available up to 80 TB on some units, with tool-free data modules and AES 256-bit encryption options.

• XSR Ethernet Recorder series
• G1 microRecorder and G2 microRecorder
• XSR HD Video Recorder
• HPR Recorder and RAPTOR fiber optic recorder

Recorders are used on fixed-wing aircraft, rotorcraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. XSR recorders with encrypted storage support unmanned aircraft flight test.

Computers and servers

Options range from a 2.0 lb unit to 3U rack-mount servers. Designs include fanless, conduction-cooled systems with modular I/O. Encryption options include NIAP-approved dual-layer, CSfC-ready and FIPS 140 with military erase.

• XSR Half Rack edge server with NVIDIA Blackwell GPU and removable encrypted storage
• XSR Mission Computer with Intel Xeon Gen 11 and 13 Gigabit Ethernet ports for airborne platforms
• XSR Server with up to 80 TB onboard storage
• G1 microServer and G2 microServer
• ACB200 at 2.5 lb with Intel i7, and ACB300 with optional NVIDIA T1000 GPU

Network attached storage

Storage products range from under 2.6 lb to systems with 80 TB of removable encrypted storage. Interfaces include Gigabit Ethernet, 10GbE and optical. Systems run Linux or Windows Server. Removable data modules swap in seconds without tools and are rated for over 100,000 insertions.

• G1 microNAS, qualified to 60,000 ft
• G2 microNAS
• XSR Rugged NAS with up to 80 TB and RAID 0, 1 and 5
• G1 removable data module and docking station

Distribution and routing

Solutions include fiber optic switching, secure KVM switches with EAL4 certification and red and black data separation, and fiber optic extenders up to 400 m. I/O cards up to 40GbE are available for VPX, VME and CPCI boards.

• Secure KVM switch with EAL4 certification
• Titan XMC cards: 40GbE, dual 25GbE, quad 10GbE, quad Gigabit Ethernet
• Analog fiber optic KVM extender

Integrated systems

Integrated systems combine computing, storage, recording, I/O and display in one solution. Designs are OpenVPX and SOSA-aligned, with a five-phase integration method. Systems are tested to MIL-STD-810 and MIL-STD-461.

• RWS15 portable 15 inch workstation
• AT213 21.3 inch rugged workstation

Use on aircraft

Airborne uses include data acquisition and playback, data processing and routing, secure data storage, and rugged displays. Platforms include fighter and attack aircraft, transport, cargo and bomber aircraft, rotary-wing aircraft, special operations aircraft, unmanned aerial systems, and ISR aircraft.

Features include removable storage, up to 13 Gigabit Ethernet ports, Common Criteria and CSfC approved encryption, FIPS 140 hardware, and AS9100D design and manufacturing.

Support and engineering

Lifecycle support covers parts, support and upgrade paths. Spectra provides lifecycle statements for parts and advance notice of obsolescence. Services include MOSA open architecture design, program management with a single point of contact, and rapid prototyping on proven platforms. Testing and qualification follow AS9100:D and ISO 9001:2015 quality systems. Supply chain management includes supplier qualification and monitoring.

Certifications

• AS9100 in Alpharetta and Las Cruces, EN9100 in Norway
• ISO 9001:2015
• ISO 27001 at the Oslo facility
• CMMC Level 2 enterprise-wide certification
• EcoVadis Bronze Medal
• JOSCAR accredited
• NIAP and Common Criteria, CSfC-listed encryption

Locations and contact

• Alpharetta, Georgia, USA, corporate headquarters
• Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA
• Oslo, Norway
• Germany
• Katy, Texas, USA
• London, UK

Address: 6435 Shiloh Rd., Alpharetta, GA 30005-8415, United States.

Phone (US): +1 281.769.8211. International: +47 21 08 02 90.

Email: sales@spectradefense.tech.