Modern defence systems demand far more than raw performance. They require determinism, security, environmental resilience, and long-term availability, and this all needs to be delivered at the edge.
The latest
Intel® Core™ Ultra (Series 3) single board computers from
Extreme Engineering Solutions (X-ES) are purpose-built for exactly this challenge and are now available exclusively in the UK from Sarsen Technology.
These SBCs bring Intel’s newest embedded processor technology into rugged, mission-ready platforms designed for deployed defence applications, from ISR and electronic warfare to command-and-control and sensor fusion.
Built on Intel Core Ultra (Series 3)
The
Intel Core Ultra (Series 3) processors (formerly
Panther Lake) introduce a highly efficient hybrid core architecture, combining performance, efficiency, and low-power cores. This combination enables mixed-criticality operation for defence workloads, which means that real-time control tasks can run deterministically alongside AI inference, networking, and data processing without interference.
Built on Intel’s
advanced 18A process, these processors deliver increased performance per watt, helping designers manage tight SWaP-C constraints common in deployed and vehicle-mounted systems.
Designed for Deployment
X-ES SBCs are engineered from the ground up for defence conditions. Every component is rated for
-40 °C to +85°C operation, with IPC Class 3 PCB construction ensuring mechanical robustness and long-term reliability under shock, vibration, and thermal stress. They are not commercial parts that have been screened up or stressed past recommended thresholds.
Thermal design is equally deliberate. Integrated heat frames and conduction- or air-cooled options provide predictable thermal behaviour, which is essential for sealed systems and extended missions where maintenance access is limited.
Security and Longevity Built In
Alongside Intel technologies such as Boot Guard, Secure Boot, and Trusted Execution Technology, X-ES integrates a Microchip PolarFire™ SoC FPGA to support custom security, system monitoring, and defence-specific control functions.
Crucially for defence programmes, Intel Core Ultra (Series 3) devices offer
10+ years of supply availability, reducing lifecycle risk and supporting long-term platform sustainment without forced redesigns.
High-Bandwidth Networking and Data Integrity
Defence systems increasingly rely on moving huge amounts of data in real time. These SBCs support
100 Gigabit Ethernet with RoCE v2, enabling low-latency, high-throughput data paths for sensor fusion, distributed processing, and advanced networking architectures.
Up to
64 GB of LPDDR5 memory with in-band ECC ensures data integrity in mission-critical applications, while PCIe Gen5 connectivity supports advanced I/O, accelerators, and custom payload integration.
AI Acceleration
Leveraging the new
GFX Xe3 architecture GPU, built in Intel® Arc graphics and a dedicated
NPU 5.0 AI acceleration is brought directly onto the board. This enables local inferencing, target recognition, and decision-support processing without reliance on reach-back connectivity which is a growing requirement for contested and disconnected environments.
Aligned with Defence Architectures
Support for
SOSA-aligned system design makes these SBCs well suited to modern open-architecture defence platforms, enabling interoperability and modular upgrades across multi-vendor ecosystems. Both Payload and I/O Intensive profiles are supported, over 3U and 6U form factors.
XMC, COM Express, CompactPCI and VME form factors are also available to support existing and legacy customer system design.
Strategic Advantage for UK Defence Programmes
For UK defence primes and system integrators, access to X-ES Intel Core Ultra (Series 3) SBCs through
Sarsen Technology means deploying cutting-edge compute that is:
- Rugged and deterministic
- Secure by design
- AI-capable at the edge
- Supported for the long haul
For more information or to discuss your project requirements
please get in touch.
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