Systel Unveils New Kite-Strike II Intel x86 Product at AUSA Annual 2024

• New version of Kite-Strike II will feature high performance Intel x86 COM-HPC architecture.
• It builds on Systel’s dual-architecture approach, offering customers the flexibility to tailor their rugged computer to mission requirements.

Washington, D.C., USA – 10 October 2024: Systel will showcase a new product in its popular Kite-Strike II embedded computer line at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) 2024 Annual Meeting and Exposition, featuring a next-gen Intel x86 COM-HPC architecture that supports a range of compute at the edge applications.

The proven x86 architecture is widely used and designed for high-performance computing tasks running on operating systems including Windows and Linux. Known as the Kite-Strike II x86, the new small form factor (SFF) computer is the perfect solution for managing and controlling various equipment on platforms, including sensors, communications suites, and other mission-critical systems.

This builds on Systel’s dual-architecture approach to rugged computer development, giving customers the flexibility to choose what is most appropriate for their mission requirement.

The x86 version (model number EC7220) follows the significant success of the NVIDIA-based Kite-Strike II AI at the edge product (model number EC7210) that integrates the NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin SOM, the world’s most powerful embedded AI computing engine. Kite-Strike II x86 is configured with an Intel x86 COM-HPC CPU module, which is optimized for use across a range of Department of Defense (DoD) programs.

Both Kite-Strike II versions share the same form factor and chassis, giving customers significant compute power in applications where size, weight and power (SWaP) is limited. This includes ground and air platforms in both crewed and uncrewed configurations.

Kite-Strike II is also highly modular, allowing customers to configure the computer with different cards and expand capabilities where required. The x86 version has a robust IO capability that includes 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports with TSN (as well as option for 10GbE), multiple USB 3.0 and 2.0 connectors, multiple serial, and dual HDMI. Storage options include Internal M.2 or mSATA and removable U.2.

The new Kite-Strike II meets a range of MIL-SPEC standards, including stringent US DoD environmental and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements. Systel is a world-leader in military-grade computer ruggedization, and this experience has once again been brought to the fore for Kite-Strike II.

Brian Russell, vice-president of product at Systel, said: “The Kite-Strike II x86 brings true compute power to the edge. It’s designed to meet the demands of programs that require high-performance computing, without the requirement for running complex AI algorithms. With this architecture, we’re giving our customers the flexibility to control complex systems in a very small form factor and where low SWaP is critical.”

Kite-Strike II x86 is expected to be available for sale in Q2 2025. A pre-release engineering prototype will be on display at this year’s AUSA Annual being held from 14-16 October 2024 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

For more information on the Kite-Strike II x86, or on any of our other rugged computing solutions, visit us at Booth #1015 or get in contact with the team using the details below.

Press contacts:

Name: Damian Smith Email: dsmith@systelusa.com

Phone number: 281.313.3600

About Systel:

Systel, Inc.® is a leading manufacturer of rugged computer products and solutions with a core value proposition of delivering rugged compute superiority where mission meets critical. Founded in 1988, Systel’s pedigree of capabilities spans numerous advanced platforms with thousands of successful deployments in the defense and commercial sectors. Systel’s rugged compute solutions are designed and manufactured for continuous operation under the most extreme and austere environmental conditions. All Systel products are proudly made in the USA in the company’s headquarters in Sugar Land, TX. Systel is AS9100:2016 and ISO 9001:2015 certified. For more information, please visit systelusa.com.