From proven data recording solutions to the XSR Spire, Spectra delivers rugged systems designed to capture, process and manage mission-critical data at the edge.
At the tactical edge, mission-critical data must be captured, processed and available when and where it matters. Spectra delivers rugged technologies engineered to support those demands in demanding operational environments worldwide.
Why the edge matters
For years, sensor data captured on a platform typically had to travel back to a centralized system before anyone could act on it. That model runs into problems in contested or communications-degraded environments, and it does not scale well against the volume of sensor data modern platforms generate. Systems that can capture, process and route information on the platform itself reduce that dependency.
Spectra’s rugged technologies bring critical compute, record and display capabilities to the tactical edge, where information can be captured, processed and acted on closer to the mission.
Capturing data at the source
At the tactical edge, capturing and preserving mission data starts at the source. Spectra’s recording solutions offer a range of form factors and capabilities, capturing high-speed data from multiple sources while preserving the synchronization and integrity needed for analysis and decision-making.
Spectra’s XSR, HPR and G2 products capture and preserve mission data across a range of platform requirements. The XSR combines flexible interfaces and multiple recording capabilities in one rugged unit for diverse sensor and video applications. The HPR emphasizes faster recording and greater storage capacity for demanding, data-intensive missions. For the most SWaP-constrained applications, the G2 delivers high-bandwidth recording and network storage in a small, lightweight enclosure suited for manned and unmanned systems. All three product lines offer removable storage for efficient data transfer and feature rugged, passively cooled designs for harsh operational environments.
Spectra’s flight test recording solutions capture synchronized data to evaluate aircraft performance, validate systems and support qualification testing. The RAPTOR fiber-optic recorder supports high-speed capture and expandable storage for data-intensive flight tests, with precise synchronization to correlate measurements across multiple inputs. The RIPR family offers flexible data acquisition, routing and recording in compact, modular configurations for flight test installations where space is limited. IRIG 106 standard formatting supports post-flight analysis and integration with existing test workflows.
Processing data at the tactical edge
Capturing the data is only part of the challenge. Increasingly, missions require the ability to process information directly on the platform, reducing the need to move large volumes of data elsewhere before it can be used.
Spectra’s ACB and XSR mission computing systems bring rugged, SWaP-optimized computing to deployed environments ranging from UAVs and UGVs to fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. These systems enable real-time onboard processing while supporting security capabilities such as optional FIPS 140-2 and AES-256 encryption.
The XSR Spire extends that capability for compute-intensive applications at the edge. Built on Spectra’s field-proven XSR architecture, the compact mission computer combines an Intel Xeon W-11865MRE processor with up to 96 GB of DDR4 ECC memory and up to 16 TB of onboard NVMe storage in a sealed, passively cooled enclosure. Designed to withstand demanding operational environments, it meets MIL-STD-810H and MIL-STD-461G requirements and is rated to IP66, IP67 and ATPD-2404 standards.
That combination of rugged design and onboard computing performance makes XSR Spire well suited for applications such as edge AI inference, sensor fusion and vehicle autonomy, where significant processing must happen close to the sensors and systems generating the data.
Storing and moving data securely
As more information is captured and processed at the edge, missions also require secure, reliable ways to store, access and move that data. Spectra’s rugged servers and network-attached storage solutions bring enterprise-class storage capabilities into environments where conventional IT infrastructure cannot operate.
Platforms including the XSR NAS support server virtualization and networked storage across applications ranging from small unmanned systems to larger manned platforms. Removable Data Modules provide field-swappable encrypted storage with capacities up to 80 TB, while AES-256 encryption and NIAP-approved dual-layer full-disk encryption help protect sensitive mission data throughout its lifecycle.
Displaying mission-critical information
Processing data at the tactical edge only creates value if operators can access and act on the information. Spectra’s rugged display solutions provide that connection, giving operators a reliable visual interface to mission systems across both fixed wing and rotary craft airborne applications, ground environments.
Ranging from 5 to 43 inches, for 35 years Spectra displays have been architected with configurable options including sunlight readability, NVG compatibility, 4K UHD and rugged touchscreen technology to meet specific program requirements. Combined with NIAP EAL4-certified keyboard, video, mouse (KVM) switches and rugged keyboards, these solutions provide an integrated operator interface designed to perform in demanding conditions, from aircraft cockpits and ground vehicles to fixed operations centers.
Controlling mission systems
Acting on mission-critical information requires precise, reliable control. Spectra’s control solutions give operators intuitive access to sensors and mission systems through rugged tablet displays, keyboards, touchscreens and bezel control panels.
Designed around mission workflows, these human-machine interfaces support rapid, accurate operator response and unified control across systems and platforms. Rugged, sealed construction resists shock, vibration, dust and moisture, providing dependable operation in demanding airborne, ground and maritime environments.
Connecting the mission data continuum
Taken together, these capabilities create a connected mission data continuum: capture, process, store, display and control. Rather than treating each function as an isolated system, Spectra’s open-architecture approach allows program teams to integrate proven technologies around the specific requirements of the mission.
That flexibility becomes increasingly important at the tactical edge, where platforms must manage growing volumes of sensor and mission data while operating within demanding SWaP constraints, harsh environments and, at times, limited connectivity.
For decades, Spectra’s engineering teams have developed technologies for these types of mission environments. Today, that experience is being applied across a broader portfolio designed to help move critical information from the point of capture to the operator who needs it.
Built for the tactical edge
Spectra’s role at the tactical edge extends across the mission data lifecycle, from capturing and processing critical information to securely storing, moving and displaying it for the operators who need it. Across North America and Europe, Spectra’s teams bring decades of engineering experience to the development of rugged technologies designed for demanding mission environments.
Together, these capabilities support U.S., NATO and allied defense customers as they move more computing, data and decision-making closer to where the mission happens.
Learn more about Spectra’s edge computing and mission systems portfolio at spectradefense.tech.