Technology and computers constantly surrounds us and have made life easier for billions of people on this planet. Today, computers are used extensively in our military. Actually, some of the earliest computers were military computers. It is impossible think in our army and military force without computers.
Computers in the military are much more robust than a common computer. They need more structure inside to support the components. The plug-in cards will be individually supported and secured to assure they do not pop out of their sockets, the processor and the heat sink will be secured, memory will be glued into their sockets and so forth. All this is to assure nothing moves during the shock events. In addition, there are other differentiators between military computers and normal office or consumer computers like cost, intended environment, long term availability, architecture, and feature set. Other common requirements are for environmental testing such as storage and operate temperature, humidity, salt spray, dirt electromagnetic compatibility and specifications for workmanship, wiring, packaging, and so forth that military computers are required to meet.
Computers in military required high security standards and specifications. To meet the challenges of defending, the U.S military has taken steps to improve the security of devices connected to Department of Defense information networks. For this reason all military computers must conform to the latest FIPS140 which specify the latest requirements for cryptography modules on devices used all over the U.S. government. Currently under development is FIPS 140-3 which are new requirements to face existing threats, including software security and an additional level of security that it will be really good for these computers.
The progress of small-scale computer technology in military applications is slow. It is in this way because there are concern about security and the ability to survive rugged environments and enemy weaponry. PC- based technology in the 20th century was not robust enough to withstand combat conditions and severe environments. For example, water, corrosives, sand, wind extreme temperatures, high shock, vibration, power interruptions, radiation, etc. Also, operation interface was complex, and most operating system were not fast in operation or easy to learn and use in pressure situations. Improvements in design and operator interface have results in new mandates for the use of small computer technology in the military.
In conclusion, since the start of the Cold War, computer have played an increasingly important role in Military of the United States. With each war or era new systems and equipment are introduced to give servicemen of the United States military an edge on the battlefield. The last 20 years, the acceptance of small-scale computer technology in the military has occurred, and is likely to increase greatly. Confidence has improved in the ability of equipment to resist combat and extreme environment conditions, but the most important, modern combat has become a duel of speed. Over time, computers have been created or designed to do a huge range of tasks, to include: analyzing intelligence, organizing prudent data for military leaders, geospatial analysis, controlling “smart” weapons, or communications. Faster and more technologically advanced weaponry demonstrates first-strike capability in current combat situations, which encourage further implementation of computer technology into systems used in the US Armed Forces in the future.