Military & Defense PCBA

HITECHPCB’s printed circuit board assemblies for products that support the military and defense industry ensure that mission critical systems are in peak working order. Our state-of-the-art equipment and advanced technology provide the highest level of accuracy and efficiency in surface mount assembly. HITECHPCB’s printed circuit board assemblies for the defense industry ensure that critical military applications arrive in peak working order. We partner with you to respond to demands for advanced equipment, customized products and higher performance standards that can get your product to the field on time and in perfect working condition. We provide quick turnaround on the most complex assemblies and have the experience, world-class equipment and people to place virtually any surface mount part.

PCBs used for military applications must be exceptionally reliable and durable. They may be exposed to extreme conditions, and they could play a role in national security. The military uses materials such as high-temperature laminates, aluminum and copper because of their ability to withstand harsh conditions such as high temperatures. Anodized aluminum may be used because of its resistance to oxidation. Some military printed circuit board applications may also benefit from the enhanced reliability of thru-hole technology.

Some military and defense uses of PCBs include:

Communications equipment: Radio communication systems and other critical communications require PCBs to function.

Control systems: PCBs are at the center of the control systems for various types of equipment including radar jamming systems, missile detection systems and more.

Instrumentation: PCBs enable indicators that members of the military use to monitor threats, conduct military operations and operate equipment.

The military is often at the cutting edge of technology, so some of the most advanced uses of PCBs are for military and defense applications. The uses of PCBs in the military vary widely.

What Makes Manufacturing Services "Military Grade"

HITECHPCB’s manufacturing services are considered to be "military grade" as they've undergone specific testing procedures and meet a high level of criteria. These extremely durable products are constructed to ensure they hold up better than standard materials in the industry. Military grade manufacturing services are higher quality and offer increased longevity.

HITECHPCB Engineering is an established leader in the industry and has earned the trust and respect of some of the top automotive companies in the world due to their focus on innovation. The company has the specialized expertise needed to fulfill the different requirements of their clients and is committed to continuous improvement.

When you're using the services of HITECHPCB Engineering, you can expect to receive top-quality products customized to your needs. Get the equipment and parts you need from a top defense manufacturing company.

As a reliable defense engineering and product development partner for the China government and leading brands serving the defense industry, we not only deliver to stringent defense industry requirements, but to do it with the speed and quality we’ve built our reputation on. HITECHPCB is known industry-wide for our cutting-edge use of metals, composites, injection molding and more to reduce cost and weight for production assemblies.

Key Takeaways

Military embedded systems must be more reliable, secure, rugged, and efficient compared to general-purpose embedded systems.

Advanced military embedded systems are used in a variety of applications including intelligence, aerospace and avionics systems, and embedded vision systems.

Multispectral imaging in the surveillance applications used in drones and aircraft is the most significant embedded vision application.

In the military and defense fields, access to the latest technology is critical. Most of the latest technologies depend on embedded systems and computing to support the specific needs of the military. The embedded systems used in military applications are different from the general-purpose embedded systems used in civilian applications. Military embedded systems must be highly secure, reliable, and rugged. In this article, we will explore the embedded systems used in a variety of military applications.

Embedded Systems Used in Military Applications

Embedded systems are electronic devices or products integrated with a computer. In most applications, embedded systems form a subsystem that performs a dedicated task within a larger system. Embedded systems often involve hardware and software. An embedded system can be either a fixed system performing a specified task or programmable. Current military embedded systems and their server architecture are network-centric. The server architectures used in military embedded systems offer higher-end computing with increased input/output options.

The general-purpose computational and embedded systems used in civilian applications are not appropriate for military use. Military embedded systems must be more reliable, secure, rugged, and efficient compared to general-purpose embedded systems. Under circumstances like increased terrorism or hacking, military embedded systems must have the utmost security to prevent reverse engineering or data interception. Military embedded systems are often subjected to harsher environments and must be designed for such rough usage. The sourcing of components should be from trustworthy and reputable manufacturers to prevent unauthorized access or software installation in military devices using embedded systems. As a matter of national security, governments are investing a good share of their annual budget in military embedded systems.

Where Are Military Embedded Systems Used?

The embedded systems used in military applications are used on many platforms, including land, water, air, and space systems. Among these platforms, the land system holds the major share of military embedded system applications. In military applications, embedded systems are used in electronic equipment and devices for applications including:

Communication

Surveillance

Command and control systems

Data storage and acquisition systems

Intelligence

Satellite systems

Missile systems

Avionics and ammunition systems

Present-day military embedded systems are driven by multicore technologies, wireless technologies, and cloud computing. Let’s now take a closer look at three key applications of military embedded systems: intelligence, aerospace and avionics systems, and embedded vision systems.

Key Applications of Military Embedded Systems

Military Intelligence 

Military embedded systems play a major role in collecting useful information and processing it to aid military officers to make the most informed decisions. In most countries, military intelligence bureaus have access to the radio, television, and other broadcasting systems of their potential enemies and are able to use embedded systems to eavesdrop. Military embedded systems are also used in surveillance satellites, radar systems, and military traffic systems. They also facilitate remote control operation, protect systems from unsanctioned access, and improve system reliability.

Military Embedded Vision Systems

The newest application of military embedded systems is embedded vision systems. Embedded vision systems create next-level visibility and autonomy for soldiers. Multispectral imaging in the surveillance applications used in drones and aircraft is the most significant embedded vision application. Embedded vision cameras and sensors develop synthetic vision that gives pilots useful information when natural visibility is limited. Autonomous and battle-ready military vehicles implement embedded vision systems to roll over complex terrains. The navigation data and enemy locations can be accessed in real-time by soldiers using head-up displays that utilize embedded vision systems.

The embedded systems used in military applications are not limited to intelligence, aerospace, or embedded vision systems. The reach of military embedded systems has been expanded and redefined with the integration of cloud computing and artificial intelligence. Nations are deploying artificial intelligence machines and new-age warfare enabled by embedded systems.

As embedded systems involve hardware systems, trustworthy PCB design software is necessary to build sophisticated, smart equipment for military applications. To design reliable, efficient, and highly secure embedded system hardware, consider using the PCB design and analysis software from Hitechpcb.

Leading electronics providers rely on Hitechpcb products to optimize power, space, and energy needs for a wide variety of market applications.

PCB Design and Development for Military Grade Electronic Components

When designing PCBs that will be used in military systems, you must take steps to ensure component quality. This includes validating that components are authentic, meet performance criteria and pass testing regimens. Besides meeting these military-grade electronic components requirements, you need to ensure that your board’s manufacture and PCB assembly meet standards surpassing those for consumer products. The best way to accomplish this is by taking steps to select a contract manufacturer (CM) with critical systems expertise that can help you optimize your component selection.

The following design considerations should be included to assure that you meet the requirements for PCB design involving military-grade electronic components:

Guidelines for PCB Design with Military Grade Electronics Components

# 1 - Familiarize yourself with standards and develop a plan to ensure component integrity and institute component authenticity protocols.

# 2 - Familiarize yourself with performance criteria and install a quality management plan that includes methods to ensure that standards are met.

# 3 - Familiarize yourself with testing requirements and design and implement a testing regimen that meets the requirements as part of your quality management plan.

# 4 - Engage a CM with the capability to manufacture PCBs that meet military standards; including assisting you with component procurement, if necessary.

Hitechpcb is the leading PCB prototype manufacturer in the industry and is capable of meeting your critical system board fabrication and PCB assembly needs, including performing design testing, if required. We follow a strict quality management protocol intended to ensure the highest quality for your boards and can assist you with optimizing your component selection.

If you are ready to have your design manufactured, try our quote tool to upload your CAD and BOM files. If you want more information on PCB design considerations for military grade electronics components that impact the manufacturing of your board, contact us.