Ruggedized military Windows handheld
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

Formerly known as Tallahassee Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Tadiran Communications, and now part of Elbit Systems of America, C4I Solutions specializes in the design, development and production of military, industrial and commercial communications equipment, rugged military computers and rugged PDAs. Elbit Systems is a supplier of tactical handheld computers to the US Army, Marine Corps, Air Force and Navy.

The Tacter-31M RHC (RHC stands for Ruggedized Handheld Computer) is tough, multipurpose full Windows computer. The tried-and-true Tacter concept goes way back as we reported on the Tacter-21P shown at the 1995 Utility PDA Forum. Back then, it was an Intel 486/66 rugged device that weighed just four pounds. Its Tacter-31M descendent runs a 1.8GHz Pentium M Dothan processor, can accommodate up to 1.5GB of RAM and a 80GB disk and runs Windows XP or even Linux. Two versions are available now. One with a 6.4-inch display and a slightly larger unit with a 10.4 inch screen. Both are sunlight-readable and have touchscreens. The unit also contains an integrated folding keyboard.

As you'd expect, the Tacter-31M is built to withstand extreme environmental conditions. It has an operating temperature range of between -22 to 131 degrees Fahrenheit, can survive in 3.3 feet of water for 30 minutes per MIL-STD-810E, and is MIL-STD-461E tested for EMI.

As far as interfaces go, the Tacter comes standard with a Fastio port that supports commercial LAN and three USSB 2.0 ports. An MMIO port has a rugged connector with LAN, USB, Audio, serial and optional FireWire. There are two PC Card slots, external video, and commercial GPS. The 10.4" version can accommodate internal L-Band SATCOM. The device is either used as a mobile computer or a vehicle-mount.

As of December 2011, the Tacter-31M remains on Elbit Systems' website as a current product.