AFSOC-HELO SOLUTION

The Air Force Special Operations Command-Helicopter unit (AFSOC-Helo) must move special forces quickly and safely into hostile situations—and back out again—in all kinds of weather and trying conditions. Missions include battlefield monitoring, calling in air strikes, air rescue and covert ops. These assignments are urgent, dangerous and precisely planned—with no margin of error.

AFSOC-Helo missions subject computers to extremely high vibrations that would disrupt operations of a non-rugged computer—and possibly cause a mission failure. With sturdy magnesium alloy cases, shock-mounted hard drives, daylight-readable touchscreens and spill-resistant keyboards, Panasonic Toughbook mobile computers are built for the high vibrations, extreme temperatures and inclement weather associated with special ops. They meet and/or exceed all MIL-STD-810 standards for ruggedness and are MIL-STD-461 certified. Toughbook mobile computers can be mounted in any type of flight vehicle from Blackhawks to B-22s, or used non-mounted for mission planning and flight line maintenance in any environment.

CAPRE SOLUTION

Common Aircraft Portable Reprogramming Equipment (CAPRE), headquartered at Hill Air Force Base, provides a standardized platform for collecting flight and equipment information and for reprogramming aircraft. They include the RC-7, HH-60, C-5A, B-52, A-10, C-17, C-130, F-15, F-16, C-141, and MH-53. These aircraft can be deployed or re-tasked anywhere in the world at a moment's notice and their maintenance equipment, including computers, must go with them. That means they must be ready and able to perform in environments as diverse and extreme as frozen tundra, muggy swamps and sizzling deserts.

Using durable Panasonic Toughbook mobile computers with daylight-readable touchscreens and specialized plug-in cables, CAPRE personnel upload software and download data from the avionics of the many different types of aircraft they service. The MIL-STD-810 certification means that Toughbook rugged computers are sturdy enough to withstand the hot, cold, damp, dusty and windy climates where military aircraft are deployed. Because Toughbook mobile computers have reliable wireless capabilities they instantly exchange information with CAPRE's central database for prompt, accurate updating. The combination of rugged construction, advanced wireless features and mobile-specific features make Toughbook computers the ideal tool for CAPRE's needs.

MISSION PLANNING SOLUTION

Missions are rarely executed exactly as planned due to continuously changing situations. To be effective, mission planners must be adaptive. An adaptive mission planning system provides timely and effective responses to changes in policy and direction. Whether in peace time or at war, planning requires up-to-date information and continuous communication in order to remain responsive, agile and relevant, even as circumstances in the field undergo dramatic change.

The ability to adapt mission plans while on the move can help increase the likelihood of mission success. Battle-tested Panasonic Toughbook mobile computers provide an excellent platform for both deliberate (scheduled) or ad hoc (unscheduled) mission planning. Their rugged weather-proof cases and shock-mounted hard drives ensure maximum protection against data loss while the daylight-readable touchscreens make it easier to navigate and view the data. The reliable wireless connectivity provides the information and communication capabilities mission planners—including pilots planning sorties—need to quickly adapt to changing conditions during critical missions.

The combination of Toughbook mobile computers' rugged construction and advanced wireless features provide a total solution for the Air Force's mission planning needs.

UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV) SOLUTION

The U.S. Army deploys various models of unmanned aircraft to provide critical situational awareness to large and small groups of soldiers on the ground. All UAV models deliver high-resolution and infrared imagery of the area, and some models are also capable of firing upon targets or dropping ordnance. To control these vehicles, the army requires wireless mobile computers with daylight-viewable screens to help soldiers locate targets and transmit images back to the control center. These computers must be durable and operate flawlessly in any weather and under battlefield conditions, yet be small and light enough to be easily carried in a rucksack.

The rugged and reliable line of Toughbook mobile computers provide ground personnel and tactical commanders with near real time, highly accurate aerial reconnaissance and target acquisition. They have been engineered to be liquid-, temperature-, humidity- and pressure-resistant in order to operate under the fiercest combat and weather conditions. With thousands of units in use, the Toughbook solution for UAV's have experienced an extremely low failure rate of less than 1% in the field. This allows the U.S. Army to focus on successfully completing their missions, not on troubleshooting their equipment.

USCG SEARCH & RESCUE SOLUTION

The U.S. Coast Guard is well known for its search and rescue (SAR) expertise—responding to about 60,000 emergency calls annually. A typical SAR response may involve ships, aircraft and road vehicles operating in all kinds of weather, terrain and sea conditions. Coast Guard equipment must be able to withstand the ocean's harsh, saline environment while providing stable, reliable GPS and mapping assistance for a swift and reliable response.

The Coast Guard uses MIL-STD-810 certified Panasonic Toughbook computer with embedded wireless and GPS as its mobile computing solution. The Toughbook solution enables greater geographic coverage, moving maps and custom software that assist rescuers in locating rescue sites faster. With daylight-readable touchscreens, spill-resistant keyboards and shock-mounted hard drives, Toughbook computers offer unparalleled ruggedness, equating to longer uptimes and a lower total life-cycle cost. This reliability makes Toughbook computers the Coast Guard's mobile computing solution of choice for search and rescue operations; day or night, in any kind of weather, on land or sea.