Find Out How Curtiss Wright & Kontron Ag's Are Determining The Future Of Embedded Computing Solutions

As per research by NMSC the VPX single board computers market was $209.8 million in 2024 and is expected to reach $499.9 million by 2030 due to rising expenditure in the defense sector and the growth of the semiconductor industry. Market growth is further supported by the demand for high-performance embedded computing systems, given the evolution of applications in defense technology, aerospace applications, and industrial automation.

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The demand is further fueled by the growth of VPX SBC use in ruggedized computing applications involving high-speed data processing as well as increased connectivity. Growing emphasis on the modernization of military infrastructure, along with the intersection of AI and edge computing technologies, is fueling the growth of the sector as well. Due to collaboration between defense contractors and technology providers, innovation is being fostered, enabling VPX SBCs to meet evolving performance and security requirements.

VPX SBC MARKET OVERVIEW

VPX Single Board Computer market is expanding heavily as demand for high performance embedded computing solutions increases in defense, aerospace, and industrial applications. VPX SBCs with their rugged design, high-speed data processing, and rich feature connectivity are becoming the necessity of mission-critical applications that require reliability and scalability. Higher defense budgets across the globe, as well as greater adoption of AI, edge computing, and autonomous systems, are also driving market growth.

Semiconductor technology developments and the shift towards open architecture standards are further accelerating innovation in VPX single board computers design. Strategic collaborations among defense contractors, technology firms and semiconductor players are enabling next-gen VPX solutions to build higher security, processing, and interoperability capabilities.

As companies are putting greater emphasis on modernization and real time processing capabilities the market for VPX single board computers has the potential for sustained growth over the next few years.
The leading industry players are Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions, Kontron AG, Abaco Systems, Mercury Systems, Inc., ADLINK Technology Inc., General Electric Company, Logic Fruit Technologies, Elma Electronic, North Atlantic Industries, Aitech, Extreme Engineering Solutions, Inc, General Micro Systems, Inc., Interface Concept, Acromag, EIZO Rugged Solutions, among others.

HIGHLIGHTS OF CURTIS WRIGHT DEFENSE SOLUTIONS

Curtiss Wright founded in 1929 and headquartered in Davidson, North Carolina, is a company offering innovative engineered solutions for the aerospace, defense and industrial markets with high market share in the VPX single board computer market.

The company generated $3.12 billion in revenues during 2024 an increase of 9.9% from last year and the gross profit was approximately $1.15 billion from $1.06 billion in 2023. Curtiss Wright operates its business in two broad segments Aerospace & Defense Business with a contribution of $2.16 billion and Commercial Customers with a contribution of approximately $950 million.

The firm employs approximately 8,800 professionals globally and 73% of its revenues are generated in the U.S. market approximately 4% in the U.K. and 23% in other markets. With the VPX SBC leadership position Curtiss Wright continues to innovate including the launch of the first VPX SBC safety certifiable product featuring 13th Gen Intel processors in April 2024.

The innovation enhances real time processing for mission critical aerospace and defense applications. The company's commitment to the delivery of high-performance embedded computing solutions further establishes it in leadership for secure, rugged and modular computing systems for extreme environments. With a focus on advanced defense electronics and future-proof computing platforms, Curtiss-Wright is at the forefront of meeting the evolving demands of military and commercial aerospace markets.

HIGHLIGHTS OF KONTRON AG

Kontron AG headquartered in Germany is a provider of embedded computing solutions with a strong presence in the VPX single board computer market. In 2023 the company reported revenue of $1.35 billion reflecting a 19.5% increase from the previous year alongside a gross profit of approximately $ 514 million up from $393 million in 2022.

Operating across multiple segments Kontron generated around 64% of its revenue from Europe, 17% from global markets and 19% from its Software + Solutions division. The company employees around 4,838 professionals and earns 73% of its revenue from Europe, 11% from North America, 4% from China and 12% from the rest.

Accompanying its leadership position in the VPX single board computers market Kontron introduced the advanced VX6011-S 6U VPX Plug-In Card in December 2024 enhancing high performance computing functionality for aerospace and defense applications.

Additionally, in October 2024 the company launched the Single Board Computer 2.5”-SBC-AML/ADN featuring Intel Atom x7000(R)E-, Intel Core i3 N- and Intel N-Series processors further strengthening its embedded computing portfolio. Kontron continues to drive innovation in rugged, modular and secure computing systems catering to mission critical applications in industrial automation, defense, telecommunications and transportation. Through strategic investments in high performance computing and software driven solutions the company remains a key player in the evolving embedded technology landscape.

HIGHLIGHTS OF MERCURY SYSTEMS INC

Mercury Systems Inc. one of the key players in the VPX single board computer market focuses on developing secure high-performance computing solutions tailored for aerospace and defense applications. In 2023 the company reported revenue of $835 million marking a 14.2% decline from the previous year with a substantial gross loss of $137 million compared to a loss of $28 million in 2022. The company's operations are structured across major business segments with Sensor & Effector contributing $360 million, C4I generating $388 million and other business areas accounting for $86 million.

Mercury Systems employs approximately 790 people with the United States remaining its largest market generating $785 million in revenue while its European operations brought in around $49 million. Despite financial setbacks the company continues to push forward with advanced VPX SBC solutions designed to support real time mission computing, secure data processing and artificial intelligence driven applications for military and intelligence systems.

Mercury Systems' commitment to open system architectures and interoperability has made it a trusted vendor to the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military forces with the objective of increasing electronic warfare radar processing and next-generation avionics. Mercury Systems is investing in innovation and strategic alliances to push embedded computing to keep up with the changing demands of the defense market.

HIGHLIGHTS OF ADLINK TECHNOLOGY INC.

ADLINK Technology Inc., one of the computing and embedded solution leaders in the world, is a supplier of VPX single board computers and is the focus of numerous industries such as defense, aerospace, industrial automation, telecommunications and medical uses. The company specializes in ruggedized and high-performance computers for mission critical and real time applications.

In 2023 ADLINK posted $371 million revenue which declined 2.6% from the previous year and gross profit of $136 million an improvement from a loss of $138 million in 2022. ADLINK employs around 1,832 staff globally and derives 50% of its revenue from the Asia-Pacific, 26% from Europe and 24% from the Americas.

ADLINK continues driving the VPX SBC technology sector with open standard high reliability computing solutions specially geared for extreme environments. During August 2024 ADLINK launched the SBC35 Series an entirely new set of 3.5" single board computers engineered to superior performance where space is very limited underlining its focus on high performance computing. The company has a track record of deeply integrating artificial intelligence in its computing platforms offering scalable solutions for autonomous systems and intelligent analytics. Part of its ongoing innovation ADLINK collaborates with industry leaders and research institutions to shape the future of embedded computing ensuring that its VPX SBC solutions address the evolving needs of defense and industrial markets. Through highlighting reliability and advanced technology, ADLINK remains a key player in the embedded computing industry.

HIGHLIGHTS OF ABACO SYSTEMS

Abaco Systems founded in 1983 and headquartered in Alabama is a provider of embedded computing solutions for mission critical applications in defense, aerospace and industrial automation industries. With focus on ruggedization and high-performance computing Abaco Systems is known for its advanced VPX single board computers providing hardy computing solutions for harsh conditions. The company introduced the SBC3901 in June 2024 as a high-end artificial intelligence edge computing solution that is housed in a rugged 3U VPX form factor and is designed to meet the rising need for edge computing in mission critical deployments.

In April 2024 AMETEK Abaco Systems released the SBC3513L an advanced SBC intended to serve the evolving needs of the military and aerospace markets. Abaco's products are designed to deliver unprecedented reliability and scalability to deliver superior performance in mission critical applications.

Abaco's SBCs are deployed globally, from advanced defense systems to industrial automation to enable real time data processing and analysis in some of the most demanding environments. The constant urge for innovation by the company still keeps it going as an industry leader in embedded computing, producing products of the highest performance, reliability and flexibility.

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