FPGAs' complexity and inherent flexibility necessitate prequalified tools, IP components, and a coherent development framework to keep tight project control. Consequently, COTS vendors are rising to the challenge of developers' maturing expectations by continuously improving toolsets and product integration.

Though migrating to IPv6 gives higher security levels, reverse engineering is also a threat should technology fall into the wrong hands. However, precautions can prevent the enemy from unraveling national secrets hidden within firmware, software, or hardware.

Vendors producing off-the-shelf FPGA wares face the issue of offering the greatest flexibility with the fewest design iterations. Accordingly, VITA 57 (FPGA Mezzanine Card or FMC) is bridging FPGA I/O capability and the external world.

Digital video distribution is a major growth area - and not just on traditional surveillance platforms such as naval combat systems, maritime patrol aircraft, or armored scout vehicles. Digital distribution removes the straitjacket of wired analog distribution, with discrete cables per video source, enabling video to be distributed over multiple carriers over long distances and at high quality and high resolutions.

As the roles and missions of ground vehicles become more complex, the demands placed on their electrical power generation and distribution systems have increased dramatically. Even light, high-mobility vehicles, such as the ubiquitous High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), are being mounted with sensor, weapon, and communications systems requiring much greater generating capacity than they were originally designed to provide.

The rollout of planned Network Enabled Capability (NEC) by a number of nations' armed forces highlights the need for renewed emphasis on security. Networks are being implemented that encompass all levels of information and intelligence exchange from strategic planning, logistics, battle groups, and sensor and weapons platforms down to the tactical deployment of individuals.

Optical fiber is the transmission medium of choice for many military and aerospace applications because of its immunity to EMI, its lack of detectable electromagnetic emissions, its lower weight than copper cabling, and its ability to transmit high-speed signals over greater distances than equivalent copper connections.