There is no doubt that technological superiority delivers the crucial edge a fighting force needs on the front line. The applications that deliver situational awareness and inform tactical decisions, the communications systems that relay commands, and increasingly the AI-enabled systems that support rapid decision-making are now the lifeblood of any fighting force, but the operational environment is no friend to sensitive systems, nor does it make maintaining data connectivity an easy task.
At headquarters, in a deployed command post, in an operational vehicle, or right at the tactical edge, reliable data, secure communications, and digital applications are key to mission success. As those applications continue to grow in sophistication – particularly with AI-enabled systems promising to deliver significant tactical advantage in a host of different scenarios – reducing the vulnerability of hardware and boosting the reliability of communications and data networks inevitably rises to the very top of the list of priorities for any military outfit.
In a new white paper entitled ‘Securing the Mission Edge’, Panasonic explains how its partnership with open hybrid cloud technology leader Red Hat combines cutting-edge technologies to put defence and security forces on the front foot by delivering secure applications, local data processing, and operational continuity at the tactical edge.
Seeking synergy
Through the development of the TOUGHBOOK range to withstand demanding operational conditions , from heavy impact to intense vibration, Panasonic has not only become the touchstone for technology that can withstand the harshest environments, but has also focused heavily on the cybersecurity measures demanded by military and security forces.
Now, the company has formed a global partnership to preload Red Hat Device Edge (RHDE) onto its laptops and tablets. Software company Red Hat is a leader in enterprise-grade, open-source software solutions, and its open hybrid cloud technology is widely trusted to deliver a consistent and comprehensive foundation for transformative IT innovation and AI applications.
RHDE is designed to support devices operating with limited computing resources, power, cooling and connectivity.
It is for those essential pieces of hardware that are hard to access, or which operate in settings where there is little or no on-site technical expertise. Nowhere do these design parameters apply more than in a remote forward operating area. By bringing together rugged hardware, cutting-edge software, and enterprise connectivity, the partnership is proving unprecedented support for reliable, real-time data processing under extreme physical conditions, and in the most hazardous environments.
From the data centre to the front
Operational environments often have limited or intermittent connectivity and low-bandwidth, where mains power is a luxury, connectivity can be highly unreliable, and teams are operating a long way from the data centres that supply mission-critical information. Harsh weather and extreme temperatures, vehicle vibration and impacts can make equipment unreliable. All the while, rapidly shifting mission parameters demand quick decisions that can only be made effectively with robust equipment and reliable communications.
The front line is where access to data and digital applications can matter most. In their new white paper, Panasonic and Red Hat outline the unified tactical platform that emerges from their synergistic partnership, and explain how it can enable personnel at the edge to keep using compute power, processing data and running critical applications when the network faces many risks.
To download the white paper andexplore how TOUGHBOOK and Red Hat Device Edge support C4I, autonomous systems control, and Edge AI and reconnaissance, together with a phased approach from initial pilots to wider deployment, please click here
