It would be really interesting to know what the military uses as a platform to run their killer drones and battlefield robots Anybody know, please put up a post. I sort of understand the engineering issues from power wheelchair and mechanized seating systems controllers. These use custom manufactured central processors from Motorola.
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If memory serves, US unmanned war machines all run on somewhat purpose tweaked UNIX variants (Solaris, I think).
The Predator, for example, must interface with military C4 applications which are definitely UNIX-based. If you're unfamiliar, you can read about C4 system specs here:
<http://defense-update.com/features/du-3-05/c4i-3.htm>
And here's, of all things, a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) fan site:
BTW, you can learn a great deal about these systems by reviewing the help wanted listings for General Dynamics and other defense contractors. The same firms provide lovely kill-pr0n brochures filled with declassified technical info. I learned a lot about the mil uses for the Ku sat band (essential for the planet straddling remote control of Predators, among many other non-mil applications) by simply ordering a booklet.
Oh look, here's a Wiki article about the Ku band:
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ku_band>
.d.