SCIENCE

CHELMSFORD, MA -- Mercury Computer Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRCY), a leading provider of embedded real-time digital signal and image processing computer systems, today introduced RACE++(TM) Series conduction-cooled systems. Applications developed on Mercury's RACE++ Series air-cooled systems will run without modification on the new RACE++ Series conduction-cooled systems. The new systems, which incorporate PowerPC(R) 7410 "G4" processors with AltiVec(TM) technology, will provide digital signal and image processing for a variety of defense electronics platforms such as tactical fighter aircraft, smart torpedoes, helicopter-based infrared systems, airborne and ground mobile surveillance radars, and land-based tactical vehicles. "We have repackaged the RACE++ architecture for conduction-cooled applications and are the only vendor offering conduction-cooled multiprocessing systems that incorporate switch fabric technology," said Vince Mancuso, vice president and general manager, Government Electronics Group, Mercury Computer Systems. "The new conduction-cooled systems extend Mercury's existing commercial and rugged air-cooled product lines, creating a comprehensive AltiVec-based product line for uses ranging from benign laboratory environments to the harshest military deployments. The addition of conduction-cooled RACE++ Series systems solidifies Mercury's leadership as the preferred supplier of digital signal and image processing systems." As military forces increasingly rely on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) multiprocessing systems, the demand has grown for conduction-cooled products that can operate in harsh environments where convection (air) cooling is not possible. For example, conduction cooling is often the only solution available in battlefield or airborne systems, which are subject to widely varying temperatures and humidity, dirt and dust, and extreme vibration and shock. Designers of radars, reconnaissance cameras, and radio receivers now have the ability to locate high-performance signal processing solutions alongside system sensors in the corrosive atmospheres and harsh environments where there is little or no air flow. "We are leveraging our experience with the PowerPC `G4' and AltiVec technology to satisfy a need not filled by any other current off-the-shelf product line," added Mr. Mancuso. "Previously, system designers who were faced with the most severe environments had to produce one-of-a-kind solutions that required a large investment. These products will position Mercury in additional defense applications and will create a new paradigm in applying state-of-the-art digital signal and image processing to demanding environments." The key to scalable computing power in these new conduction-cooled systems is the RACE++ switch fabric interconnect. The RACE++ fabric enables multiple high-speed data transfers simultaneously by providing multiple pathways between network nodes. Initial system configurations can scale from 6 GFLOPS and 1 GB/second to more than 85 GFLOPS and 6 GB/second. Mercury's conduction-cooled systems are available for immediate order. Production deliveries begin in December 2001. For additional information visit www.mc.com