APPLICATIONS

SEATTLE--Global supercomputer leader Cray Inc. reported that it has won a multi-year order, valued at about $8.4 million, for a Cray X1(TM) supercomputer system from Spain's National Institute of Meteorology (INM). The order includes an interim Cray SV1(TM) system. The Cray X1 system is scheduled to be installed in INM's Madrid facility in mid-2003 and to be expanded in early 2005, Cray officials said. It will be used for weather forecasting and climate modeling. At its final size, the system will increase INM's computing capacity by a factor of 225. The Cray X1 product will be formally announced later this year. In October, Cray reported that five early-production Cray X1 systems had been shipped to undisclosed customer sites. All five of these systems have now completed customer acceptance tests. "The new Cray X1 system will dramatically increase the computing capability of INM for operational numerical weather prediction and for research in climate and atmospheric modeling. The new system will play a major role in the improvement of short and very short range forecasting in Spain in coming years," said Ricardo Riosalido, Head, Observations and Instruments at INM. "We're pleased that INM, a globally respected weather and climate organization, selected the Cray X1 for its mission-critical work," said Cray Inc. chairman and CEO Jim Rottsolk. "We are committed to collaborating with INM to support their exciting plans." The Cray X1 system is targeted at the weather-environmental, automotive, aerospace and life sciences markets, along with government and academia, he said.