Panasonic Mobile Solutions Business Division has today announced the TOUGHBOOK 40 TACTICAL, revolutionising in-vehicle connectivity with command and control defence networks in wheeled and tracked vehicles. Based on the new TOUGHBOOK 40mk2 version, the T40 TACTICAL is the latest solution from the long-standing relationship between Panasonic and roda computer GmbH.

Military-grade connectivity and reliability guaranteed

The TOUGHBOOK 40 TACTICAL features a specialised industry module from roda computer, equipped with up to three round military-grade connectors, enabling users to choose from a range of interfaces and protocols, including CAN Bus, MIL-DP, MIL-VGA, DIGI-LAN, and MIL-DVI, and the popular MIL-DTL 38999 connector favoured by global defence forces.

An embedded port control protocol (PCP) ensures an enhanced and reliable data connection between the TOUGHBOOK 40 TACTICAL and military networks and devices. When compared with commercial devices that use USB ports, military-grade connections ensure fewer component failures, especially in challenging environments. The TOUGHBOOK 40 TACTICAL works seamlessly with all common military connector manufacturers, enabling connectors to be procured locally and comply with the approved procurement protocol of the respective country and vehicle platform.

A future-proofed design for defence

The TOUGHBOOK 40 TACTICAL maintains the same form, fit and function as previous – and future – iterations of the TOUGHBOOK 40, with all existing peripherals compatible with the T40 TACTICAL. This enables the defence sector to confidently deploy in-vehicle interfaces and mounting plates around the T40 TACTICAL.

Compared to a custom-built bespoke solution, the defence sector can take advantage of faster device availability and configuration, lower cost of procurement, and ease of servicing with the TOUGHBOOK 40 TACTICAL. Upgrades and predictive maintenance cycles can be planned before deployment, and aligned with the vehicle’s own servicing schedule over its 10+ year lifespan, helping to maximise device uptime, and minimise vehicle downtime.

Market-leading performance and ruggedness

The TOUGHBOOK 40 TACTICAL features AI processing capabilities at the edge using the Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 CPU, featured on the TOUGHBOOK 40mk2, vastly increasing efficiency and accuracy users. It also features the Intel® Arc™ GPU*, enabling superior graphics performance.

The TOUGHBOOK 40 TACTICAL is IP66 rated, with vibration compliance to 810H MIL-SPEC, ensuring that connections can withstand significant in-vehicle vibrations, regardless of the terrain. With militaries deployed year-round across the world, the T40 TACTICAL can operate comfortably in temperatures between -29°C and +63°C. Its modular design is enhanced through the availability of four additional expansion areas, providing maximum flexibility.

Luca Legnani, European Vertical Marketing Manager, at Panasonic TOUGHBOOK, said: “The defence sector wants to combine high levels of performance with cost-efficiency and reliability when choosing rugged computing solutions for a variety of different applications. Our market-ready TOUGHBOOK 40 TACTICAL allows NATO and European defence forces to always have access to best-of-breed hardware and software for intensive defence use, as well as providing a technological footprint for future vehicle design.”

The TOUGHBOOK 40 TACTICAL will be launched in Q2 2024 at EUROSATORY 2024. For more information on the TOUGHBOOK 40 TACTICAL, visit: https://info.business.panasonic.eu/defence-solutions-eurosatory.html