The SGI systems are part of the TIO4 procurement by the Department of Defense's (DoD) High Performance Computing Management Office (HPCMO), which evaluates technical supercomputing proposals submitted from Services and Agencies in DoD. While many proposals are submitted each year, only a few are selected based on the needs of DoD and technical merit in the supercomputing field. SGI personnel provided technical expertise to RTTC in drafting their proposal which resulted in an award and being competitively selected as one of the best submissions to the HPCMP.

RTTC uses the two SGI Onyx family supercomputers to generate simulated sensor data and output the graphics digitally in various forms and spectrums (visible, infrared, etc.) Then, they use the digital signals to "project" the data on the seekers of various missile systems to make them "think" they are flying in various environments. They also use these simulated digital signals to test the effects of various extreme environments on advanced missile seekers by interjecting dust, clouds, smoke, rain, extreme cold or heat, etc. For example, RTTC can check how the propulsion systems, subsystems, or fins are moving over various terrains and in various positions (i.e. hugging the ground, making hairpin turns) and test new component designs for reactions to both terrain and weather - before they ever fly the systems in real world situations.

The new SGI Onyx systems, installed in March 2004, are being used to test multiple similar missile systems, along with the 10 Silicon Graphics Fuel systems distributed between the two supercomputers for developing capabilities that are re-combined on the supercomputers for executing the test under tightly controlled time constraints.

One 16-processor SGI Onyx system is outfitted with a SGI InfiniteStorage TP9100 storage system; the second 12-processor Onyx is networked to a StorageTek L-series storage system with fourteen 73GB tape drives. RTTC uses SGI InfiniteReality4 graphics subsystems on both Onyx systems for high performance modelling and simulation of sensor scenes and driving the video through the infrared scene projector.

"For over ten years, Redstone has relied on SGI platforms for their real-time operating system capabilities, robust multi-processor shared architecture, and extensive graphics for producing high resolution sensor scenes within critical time constraints. The SGI Onyx systems provide the advanced computing capabilities that deliver the highest degree of visual fidelity and performance needed to match the ever more sophisticated missile systems we test", stated Tim Clardy, RTTC HPC-DC Director.

"SGI's involvement and support is exceptional. We have relied on SGI for assisting RTTC with our advanced test techniques, and they have been a critical part of our team in acquiring supercomputers with the proper configuration for our mission. Missile capabilities, by nature, are continually pushing the edge of the technology envelope and it is vital to increase computer technologies for properly testing these missile systems before their deployment to the soldier. We're pushing the limits of technology, albeit in an unconventional way, and SGI scalable system technology provides us a major horsepower boost", added Tim Clardy.

"SGI has been working with the DoD's High Performance Computing Management Office for many years and we are very pleased that our technical expertise and familiarity with this programme has led to this important investment in homeland security at Redstone Technical Test Center", stated Benn Stratton, Senior Director of Business Development and Field Operations, SGI. "Teaming with our customers to help define and secure their high performance compute and visualization needs - be it in government and defense, the sciences, energy, manufacturing or media - is part and parcel of our commitment to provide the best solutions to meet our customers challenges for years to come."

A long-term SGI customer, RTTC runs both classified and unclassified labs, with previously installed SGI Origin 2000 and Origin 3000 HPC systems, SGI supercomputers, and a variety of SGI visual workstations, which provide general computing power to the U.S. government for various DoD programmes.