Products need to be able to withstand severe shock, and in some cases vandalism, and are therefore subjected to rigorous testing. Telephone and radio interfaces need to be operable in remote locations, such as aircraft crash sites in mountainous country. Products may also need to be able to withstand both low and high temperature extremes, as well as be resistant to sand, dust and water ingression. All our products are very tough, not just because of the conditions that might be suffered during conflict, but also because they have to withstand the abuse from the soldiers. Soldiers aren't renowned for treating things gently.
Rugged design is associated with huge, bulky and indestructible products.
However, over the last few years changes in the operations of the armed forces combined with new developments in technology have led to dramatic changes in product design. The newest products in the barracks are small, lightweight and disposable. Soldiers are approaching some very different scenarios these days, explains Welch. Where once products were designed for their intended use in one particular region and situation, now they could end up anywhere, from Yugoslavia to Sierra Leone. All these eventualities must be combined into the one product.