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General Micro Systems Introduces XDomain Family of Truly Open Standard Cross Domain Systems

via Business Wire
  • Combined Joint All Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) approach and “smart everything” requires securing battlefield data with cross domain systems (CDSs) such as the three small, lightweight CDSs in GMS’s XDomain family
  • XDomain to be showcased in GMS booth #8407 at AUSA 2025, October 13-15

General Micro Systems (GMS) today announced the latest offerings in the XDomain family of three open standard cross domain systems (CDS) at AUSA 2025, booth #8407. Designed to be small, lightest weight, standards-based and low cost, the cross domain systems perform dual duty as they secure data at rest and in motion by separating Red domains from Black domains, while simultaneously bringing highest performance mission, sensor and payload processing functions into the CDSs themselves. Using MOSA-standard Ethernet and Thunderbolt™ 4, they are complete systems, not merely cross domain solutions, that can significantly save size, weight, power and cost (SWaP-C).

Cross domain systems are required whenever data moves from a classified environment to an unclassified one. With smart sensors, legacy platforms, and CJADC2-driven joint operations, data increasingly crosses secure boundaries, even when using military links such as the Link-16. CDSs ensure rules-based transfer and encryption/decryption across these domains. The challenge is delivering CDSs that are lightweight, affordable, and accessible, unlike the large, proprietary and costly systems typically offered by major primes.

“We’ve torn that model to shreds,” said Ben Sharfi, CEO and chief architect, GMS.

“We’ve created three open standard-based small, lightweight, and low-cost cross domain systems that fit into swarm UAVs, mobile and portable deployments, vehicles, and more. There’s nothing in the market even close—and you’re not going to find it because it’s our X9 architecture that’s made it possible and no one else has X9. However, each CDS in the XDomain family is MOSA-inspired and based upon the industry’s only open standards: Thunderbolt 4 and Ethernet. Why has nobody done this before?”

New XDomain products come in three class types

The three latest members of the XDomain family are all based upon the GMS Technology Readiness Level (TRL) X9 architecture:

  • X9 SPIDER “TacKit” Mini-Stack small form factor (SFF);
  • X7 RAPTOR Nano-Stack value-priced SFF; and
  • VIPER NanoATR ½ ATR (short) SOSA-aligned OpenVPX chassis based upon GMS VENOM OpenVPX.

Each CDS contains a Red domain (classified or “high side”), a Black domain (insecure or “low side), and a General Dynamics® KG-175N Type 1 HAIPE encryptor. The domains themselves are fully isolated and fully featured high-performance mission processors with high-speed Ethernet networking, Thunderbolt 4 and myriad add-in I/O used to build the cross domain systems into complex single-box systems. The CDSs can replace other functions or systems in a defense platform, saving SWaP-C.

What differentiates GMS cross domain systems are their class-leading small size, revolutionary light weight in each class type, the use of truly open standards, and the ability to use each system not only as CDSs, but as a fully featured high performance system. GMS’ CDSs can replace other boxes and functions on the platform, saving SWaP-C without exuberant costs.

The three cross domain systems in XDomain include:

  • X7 “RAPTOR” Nano-Stack™

The smallest and lightest weight member of GMS’s XDomain family is the X7 “RAPTOR” Nano-Stack cross domain system. Based upon the GMS X7 RAPTOR mission computer, these svelte CDSs are designed for “bolt-on” installation with its under five (5) pound weight and 4” x 4” x 6” (W x H x L) footprint. Two X7 RAPTOR mission computers provide dual-CPU performance based on Intel® Core i7 8-core processors and up to 128 GB of DDR4 memory. A General Dynamics TACLANE encryptor separates the two domains (Red and Black) while 1 GigE network ports bring data into/out of the Nano-Stack. FIPS-140-2 or CSfC SSDs complement the dual 40 Gbps Thunderbolt™ 4 ports on each domain. These cross domain systems can function as two mission or payload processors and is priced for use in higher volume applications such as swarm drones, autonomous sensors, portable/mobile networks, or to secure add-on systems in legacy platforms as part of battlefield connectivity.

  • X9 SPIDER “TacKit” Mini-Stck™

Similar in function to the Nano-Stack, the TacKit Mini-Stack uses dual X9 SPIDER mission computers, one per domain. Its size is slightly larger at 5” x 6” x 6.5” (W x H x L) and under 9 pounds, but it adds substantially more performance into the mix. There are still 1 GigE input/output ports to these CDSs and the same TACLANE encryptor, but each mission computer now has four (4) Thunderbolt 4 ports and can be scaled up with myriad system I/O such as MIL-STD-1553, quad 100 GbE fiber network ports, dual SSDs, and an NVIDIA® A4500 GPGAPU for on-platform and edge artificial intelligence (AI) processing. These CDSs are designed for airborne, medium-sized UAVs, mobile applications and vehicles.

  • VENOM “VIPER” NanoATR™

Based upon the GMS VENOM line of 3U OpenVPX, SOSA-aligned MOSA-inspired single board computers, switch cards and I/O, the RAPTOR NanoATR is a standard-size ½ ATR (short) conduction-cooled chassis with GMS-unique per-slot cooling. A patent-pending radiator assembly provides efficient per-slot conduction cooling which allows the 4-slot 3U chassis to dissipate up to 800 W. Dual VENOM single-board computers (SBC)—one for the Red domain and one for the Black domain—serve as mission processors on isolated and independent (non-interconnected) backplanes inside the chassis.

“No vendor or prime DoD contractor has systems that fit into such small spaces, weigh so little and are yet so full-featured, powerful, completely off-the-shelf and ready to deploy,” Sharfi said. “They’re the culmination of 46 years of experience building secure, rugged, networked, sensor processing and storage systems and learning from security partners such as General Dynamics Mission Systems and even the Army, Navy and Air Force. They will truly change secure, interoperable communications for years to come.”

See the Cross Domain Systems at AUSA 2025

GMS will showcase the new XDomain family of cross domain systems based upon X9 SPIDER, X7 RAPTOR and X9 VIPER OpenVPX in booth #8407 at AUSA 2025, October 13-15. Visit the booth or request a meeting by contacting Kelly Wanlass at 801-602-4723 or kelly@hcimarketing.com.

Find datasheets at www.gms4sbc.com

About General Micro Systems:

Over 46 years, General Micro Systems (GMS) has built a reputation as the industry expert in highest-density, modular, compute-intensive and rugged small form-factor embedded computing systems, servers and switches. These powerful systems, all built in America, are ideal for demanding C5ISR defense, aerospace, medical, industrial and energy-exploration applications. GMS is an IEC, ISO, AS9100, NIST-800-171 and MIL-SPEC supplier with infrastructure and operations for long-life, spec-controlled and configuration-managed programs. For more information, visit www.gms4sbc.com.

Backgrounder: The Need for a CDS

Different from multi-domain Red/Black systems, cross-domain systems (CDS) provide the gateway between highly secure, classified systems and insecure—often public—systems and networks. They offer higher levels of security than multi-domain, such as via data diodes for rules-based routing, and beefier crypto and sanitization for data-at-rest within storage devices. Generically and insufficiently called Red/Black systems, the DoD’s SIPR (classified) and NIPR (unclassified) networks co-exist because data must often transit between US allies and disparate networks. As well, in an age of “connectedness”, data often travels across public networks and systems such as Wi-Fi, 5G cellular, SATCOM such as Starlink or Starshield, and other public networks.

The cross-domain system filters the data, makes decisions about what data can pass between the domains, and encrypts/de-crypts data on-the-fly and at-rest on storage drives—all in real time. As well, the CDS must prepare for the eventuality that the system may get compromised should the vehicle, platform or location come under enemy control—so it must sanitize and eradicate its data in all kinds of circumstances, often autonomously with no operator ever pushing the big red button.

GMS History in Secure Systems: A Long Road with Demonstrated Results

XDomain CDS products are the culmination of decades of system-level experience with increasingly complex and secure systems. A recognized expert in defense communications, sensor processing, and data recorder systems, GMS brings it all together with the Nano-Stack, the Mini-Stack, and the TacKit NanoATR—each with mission processing, secure storage and authentication, encryption, networking, and options for SATCOM, AI and data diodes. Each supports GMS’ new Enhanced SecureDNA™ cyber suite and all are based on the X9 distributed computing architecture. Each system is TEMPEST certifiable, isolated, and MOSA inspired using open standard Ethernet and Thunderbolt 4.

at #AUSA2025 in booth 8407

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