Rugged handheld terminal unit for demanding environments
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

The DRS Handheld Terminal Unit with Embedded Keybord (HTU-EK) is a relatively lightweight, ultra rugged, fully sealed computing device for military applications such as communications and messaging, homeland defense first responder, air defense, dismounted operations, etc. The units uses a "shoebox" design that places both the 6.3-inch sunlight-readable display and the fully sealed keyboard onto the face of the computer, making it sort of a slate.

In order to keep costs down, the HTU-EK is a product based solely on commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technology such as a commercial Intel processor and standard hard disk and memory. The HTU-EK's ultra-rugged design meets the most demanding V3 environmental requirements, offering MIL-STD-810 and MIL-STD-461 compliance and plenty more. Listed are lightning protection, electrostatic discharge control, air drop suitability, fungus protection, transit drop, all on top of the usual sealing, vibration and thrmal requirements.

HTU-EK optional configurations include embedded TCIM, and embedded SAASM GPS.