Touch screens for tactical vehicles

WASHINGTON, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Elbit Systems of America unveiled a tactical computer designed for operations in the tight operational pod of rugged tactical vehicles.

Elbit Systems of America unveiled its ECT Mark IV computer at the 2009 annual meeting for the Association of the U.S. Army, the largest land power exposition and professional development forum in North America.

AUSA launched Monday in Washington.

The ETC Mark IV has a built-in keyboard and a 10.4-inch touch-screen display with roughly 2 gigabytes of memory. It is designed to replace multiple platforms with one computer.

"We are very excited to introduce this new vehicle computer solution at AUSA," said Jim English, a vice president at Elbit Systems.

Elbit Systems said the computer platform would join earlier models intended for service with military personnel.

The unveiling coincides with the deployment of the first set of more than 6,000 mine-resistant, ambush-protected all-terrain vehicles shipped to the battlefield in Afghanistan to support U.S. troops.