BOHEMIA, NY – November 2025 -- North Atlantic Industries (NAI), a leading supplier of rugged embedded electronics and systems, announced today that it is under contract to deliver the U.S. Army’s next-generation High-Altitude Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) Digital Backbone by upgrading its Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) architecture from 1 to 10 Gigabits. NAI’s proven Configurable Open Systems Architecture™ (COSA®), recognized as the most configurable, modular, and adaptable COTS architecture in the defense industry, is central to enabling this critical modernization effort.

The current HADES DBB operates on a 1 Gigabit TSN deterministic Ethernet network that supports multiple Nodal Access Units (NAUs), TSN switches, and a mission computer. TSN is a standards-based form of deterministic Ethernet that ensures predictable, real-time data transfer across military systems. This architecture enables synchronized, real-time data distribution across a range of mission systems, ensuring that critical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) data flows reliably to support operational decision-making. The planned upgrade to 10 Gigabit TSN will provide a tenfold increase in backbone throughput, delivering deterministic latency, higher bandwidth, and expanded sensor integration to accommodate emerging mission payloads and future scalability.

“NAI has been an essential partner in the success of the HADES Digital Backbone. Their modular COTS systems deliver TSN endpoints, switching, I/O, and mission processing in a reconfigurable small form factor—exactly the kind of MOSA-aligned solution we need to stay agile. Just as important, NAI consistently anticipates program needs and provides fast, expert support.” stated Jeffery Jablonski, Army HADES Program.

NAI is driving critical advancements in the modernization of the HADES DBB. Its Nodal Access Units employ Intel®-based processing to manage, monitor, and control mission sensors across multiple avionics and vehicle data buses, including Discrete I/O, ARINC-429, Serial (RS-232/422/485), CANBus, and MIL-STD-1553. The mission computer integrates Intel®-based processing with MIL-STD-1553, ARINC-429, Discrete I/O, and advanced video processing capabilities. It supports 3G-SDI video input and output, ensuring reliable transport of mission-critical video streams alongside traditional avionics data. By leveraging its COSA® approach, NAI ensures deterministic performance across mixed-protocol environments, enabling real-time synchronization and seamless integration across diverse mission systems.

“Transitioning the HADES backbone from 1 Gigabit to 10 Gigabit TSN is critical to enabling the Army’s next-generation ISR capabilities,” said Lino Massafra, VP of Sales and Marketing at North Atlantic Industries. “NAI’s COSA®-based systems deliver the deterministic performance, open modularity, and long-term technology refresh required for mission-critical success.”

About North Atlantic Industries
North Atlantic Industries (NAI) is a leading provider of rugged embedded electronics and systems for defense, aerospace, and industrial applications. With its Configurable Open Systems Architecture™ (COSA®), NAI delivers modular, reconfigurable, and MOSA-aligned COTS solutions that reduce risk, accelerate integration, and ensure long-term technology refresh. www.naii.com.