 Cutaway diagram of a MOBIDIC trailer | |
| Codename | MOBIDIC |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Sylvania Electric Products |
| Product family | MOBIDIC |
| Type | Mobile trailer computer |
| Release date | December 1959 |
| Introductory price | $20-30 million USD |
| Discontinued | 1960s |
| Media | Tape |
| CPU | 36 & 40 bit, 52 instruction |
| Memory | 2-7 banks of 4098 word core memory |
| Storage | Tape drives, punch tape |
| Input | Flexowriter |
| Connectivity | Other MOBIDIC units |
| Power | 29.79kW, provided by generator van. |
| Platform | Fieldata |
| Dimensions | Four vans |
| Mass | ~7000lbs-12000lbs |
| Marketing target | American Army, Government, Commercial (9400) |
| Successor | Sylvania 9400 |
| Language | COBOL |
Sylvania's MOBIDIC, short for "MOBIle DIgital Computer", was a transistorized computer intended to store, sort and route information as one part of the United States Army's Fieldata concept. Fieldata aimed to automate the distribution of battlefield data in any form, ensuring the delivery of reports to the proper recipients regardless of the physical form they were sent or received. MOBIDIC was mounted in the trailer of a semi-trailer truck, while a second supplied power, allowing it to be moved about the battlefield. The Army referred to the system as the AN/MYK-1, or AN/MYK-2 for the dual-CPU version, Sylvania later offered a commercial version as the S 9400.