CM Computer
Engineering the Backbone of Mission-Ready Military Systems

Miguel de la Torre, CEO

The ability to select the best technologies for a mission creates flexibility, but it also creates complexity. Those technologies must fit together physically, communicate reliably, withstand harsh operating conditions and perform as a single deployable system.

CM Computer specialises in the infrastructure that makes that integration possible. Established in 1987, it is one of the longest-standing military-certified chassis suppliers serving defence programs across Europe and the U.S. The company designs and manufactures rugged ATR chassis, custom backplanes and military computing architectures that enable boards, payloads and subsystems from multiple vendors to function within a unified platform.

Supporting a broad ecosystem of VPX, VME and cPCI modules, these solutions give defence system integrators and OEMs the flexibility to select the technologies best suited for their requirements. Combining chassis engineering, backplane development, power distribution, I/O integration, thermal management, validation and manufacturing under one roof, CM Computer reduces engineering complexity, accelerates deployment and minimises program risk across airborne, naval and ground applications.

"Every military platform presents unique requirements," says Miguel de la Torre, CEO. "Our role is to engineer systems around those requirements, not force programs into predefined configurations."

That approach is supported by multidisciplinary electrical and mechanical engineering teams working closely with customer engineers throughout the development process. Validation and quality-control testing are conducted internally, ensuring design decisions remain closely aligned with manufacturing execution.

Designed for System Flexibility

System flexibility begins with an open-architecture foundation.

CM Computer's chassis, boards and backplane solutions are designed around 3U and 6U VITA standards and VITA Mil-COTS requirements. The card cages and slot architectures support standard open-bus modules while maintaining compliance with both mechanical and electrical VITA specifications.

Customers can select from more than 400 compatible modules produced by over 20 manufacturers worldwide. This broad compatibility simplifies system development, reduces integration efforts and lowers overall program costs. It also gives system designers greater freedom to choose the technologies best suited to mission requirements rather than being restricted by proprietary ecosystems.

Military platforms also introduce their own operational, environmental and certification requirements, many of which influence chassis configuration, power architecture and overall system design.

Ground vehicle systems require power supplies compliant with MIL-STD-1275D. UAV platforms typically require MIL-STD-704F compliance. Submarine deployments may impose acoustic requirements below 55 dBA while helicopter applications often demand enhanced vibration resistance.

Adapting systems to these varying requirements has become a routine part of CM Computer's engineering process and an important factor in helping customers reduce deployment risk.

Since introducing its first VPX integrated chassis in 2013, CM Computer has supported more than 30 VPX-based defence programs worldwide.

That experience is reflected in deployments, such as its work with Ultra I&C, a provider of advanced mission computing and tactical edge-processing technologies for defence applications. CM Computer supplies chassis solutions for the KNOX family of military computers, including the KNOX-5, KNOX-7 and KNOX-10 systems. Built around SOSA-aligned 3U OpenVPX architectures, these platforms support mission computing, tactical edge processing, sensor fusion and AI-enabled workloads across air, land and maritime environments.

Building the Integration Layer

Selecting compatible technologies is only the starting point. Integrating them into a rugged military platform presents a different set of engineering challenges.

Front panels require application-specific connector configurations, board-to-board communications must be optimised and signal integrity must be maintained under vibration, shock and environmental stress.

CM Computer’s military-specific backplanes are based on payload topology and communication requirements while managing complete chassis I/O integration. Signals are routed from payload modules to front panels through flex circuits, military-grade cabling and specialised wiring solutions engineered for rugged operation.

The complexity increases further when commercial high-speed technologies are introduced into military environments. Many digital video and data interfaces were originally developed for commercial electronics and are not fully supported by military VITA standards.

"The challenge is not selecting the technology,” says Torre. “It is making the technology work together."

Optimising Thermal Paths for System Reliability

As processing densities continue to increase, thermal management becomes equally important for long-term operational reliability.

FPGA-based modules continue to drive higher power dissipation requirements, while defence systems may be required to operate continuously in ambient temperatures of up to 71°C. These conditions place significant demands on cooling performance.

CM Computer addresses these requirements through a combination of thermal technologies working together to reduce the thermal path between payload and ambient air. Depending on the application, systems may incorporate multiple heat exchangers, heat pipe technologies, internal air recirculation systems, high-altitude military-grade fans and airflow optimisation techniques. The objective is to support lower card-cage operating temperatures while improving reliability and acceptable MTBF levels.

Solving a Multi-Interface Challenge

A recent project involving the German PUMA combat vehicle demonstrates how open-architecture integration, customised I/O engineering and thermal management come together within a demanding defence application. The military-certified VPX-SOSA 360-degree visualisation system required extremely high-performance video processing combined with reliable operation.

For this project, CM Computer provided the rugged integration platform, combining customised I/O integration, a Generation 4 SOSA backplane, advanced signal-integrity engineering and optimised thermal management to support reliable operation under demanding military conditions. Together, these capabilities addressed complex integration challenges within the broader PUMA visualisation system.

Engineering Through Collaboration

Programs such as the PUMA visualisation system are built through close collaboration between CM Computer and customer engineering teams. Development projects often involve extensive exchanges of drawings, technical reviews and design discussions aimed at resolving technical issues before systems reach deployment.

That collaborative approach has helped establish a reputation for trouble-free system integration across a wide range of defence programs.

"Attention to detail is often what separates a deployable system from a delayed program," says Torre.

Longstanding involvement within the VITA ecosystem further supports that process. A close relationship with VITA technical committees provides CM Computer with early visibility into emerging standards and technologies, allowing customers to prepare for future architecture requirements.

Building on Decades of Expertise

Underpinning CM Computer's integration capabilities is nearly four decades of experience in military electronics, rugged chassis design and open-architecture systems. Preserving and transferring that knowledge has become an important priority as the next generation of engineers prepares to support increasingly sophisticated defence programs.

That commitment extends beyond people to the infrastructure required to support future programs. Continued investment in manufacturing capacity, including a third production facility and additional CNC machining resources, reflects a long-term focus on meeting evolving defence requirements.

The combination of deep engineering expertise, manufacturing control and integration experience continues to define CM Computer's role within the defence industry, earning recognition as the Military ATR Chassis Manufacturer of the Year in Europe 2026.

As defence platforms continue to incorporate more sophisticated processing, communications and sensor technologies, CM Computer remains focused on helping customers reduce integration complexity and deploy mission-ready systems with greater confidence.