The Metromatics 19″ MIL-STD Lightweight Racks & Consoles are Australian-made, Defence-grade electronic enclosures.  Designed to house and protect mission-critical equipment. Specifically engineered for naval, shipboard and other harsh-environment applications.  They provide the strength, low weight, shock resistance and reliability required for demanding Defence platforms. By combining a rugged stainless-steel internal frame with a lightweight aluminium outer skin, these racks deliver exceptional payload performance.  While also meeting stringent MIL-STD shock, vibration and EMC requirements.

These racks are available in standard 32RU, 34RU and 41RU sizes. Furthermore, they can be fully customised from 8RU up to 42RU to meet specific platform constraints. As a result, this rack system is ideal for shipboard communications equipment, combat systems and command-and-control environments. In particular, they are suited to environments where traditional commercial racks cannot meet the Defence-level compliance, environmental, or structural requirements.

Key Features 19″ MIL-STD Lightweight Racks

• Standard heights: 32RU, 34RU and 41RU; configurable up to 42RU

• Lightweight construction: aluminium outer skin with stainless-steel internal frame

• Standard depths: 800 mm (41RU) and 850 mm (32RU & 34RU)

• Approx. 80 kg empty weight for a typical 42RU rack

• Qualified payload: up to 250 kg (test data available up to 350 kg depending on configuration)

• MIL-STD shock & vibration: tested to MIL-S-901D (15G shock) and MIL-S-167-1 (1G vibration)

• EMC/EMI protection: designed for MIL-S-461D and MIL-S-1310 bonding requirements

• Airflow and thermal management options: Items such as fan trays, controllers, air vents, anti-condensation heaters and optional air-to-water heat exchanger

• Access flexibility: front and rear doors, removable side panels and multi-point locking

• Integration options: connectors, patch panels, power distribution, earthing, UPS and cabling

• Fully customisable designs — including isolated platforms, bayed suites and red/black segregation

Typical Applications

• Naval vessels and shipboard electronic systems

• Submarines, OPVs, frigates and maritime mission systems

• Combat system and command & control consoles

• Communication, surveillance and EW equipment

• Rugged industrial, transport or mobile control rooms

• Spaces where weight, vibration, access or footprint are constrained

Technical Specifications

Certification & Standards Compliance

These racks are designed, manufactured and tested in Australia to meet major naval and defence standards:

• MIL-S-901D — Shock

• MIL-S-167-1 — Vibration

• MIL-S-461D — EMI / RFI

• MIL-S-1310 — Earthing & bonding

• ANSI/EIA-310-E — 19″ rack cabinet standard

• MIL-STD-810D/G — Environmental (fungus, salt fog, drip; optional)

• IP55 — Optional ingress protection

Other Defence or platform-specific qualifications can be supported upon request.

Product Variants

Bare Racks

• Lightweight aluminium and stainless-steel construction

• Standard and custom heights up to 42RU

• Tested to 15G shock and 1G vibration

• Payloads up to 250 kg (higher capacities available)

• Optional doors, side panels, connector panels and isolation mounts

Integrated Racks

Metromatics can supply the rack as a fully integrated assembly including:

• Power distribution, switching, conditioning and indicators

• Fibre, coaxial, copper and network cabling

• Earthing and bonding to MIL-S-1310

• Connector panels and patch panels

• Thermal management (fans, heaters, heat exchangers)

• Full documentation (schematics, cable schedules, GA drawings)

Turnkey Solutions

• Concept-to-completion design

• MIL-STD testing pathways

• Production engineering and V&V

• OQE documentation for Defence programs

• Full in-house manufacturing and after-sales support

Metromatics’ Design, Engineering & Manufacturing Capability

Metromatics designs and manufactures these MIL-STD racks in our 2,000 m² secure engineering and production facility in North Lakes, Queensland. In addition, our Defence team includes mechanical, electrical and systems engineers who specialise in naval-grade equipment, rugged metalwork and high-reliability system integration. Together, these capabilities enable us to deliver fully compliant, fit-for-purpose rack solutions for demanding Defence and maritime applications.

Discover why Metromatics’ 19″ MIL-STD racks stand out for naval and military use.

Engineering Expertise

• SolidWorks 3D CAD and virtual cable routing for optimal layout

• R&D capability for custom frameworks, thermal solutions and ruggedisation

• IPC-610 and IPC-620 certified assembly technicians

• Full configuration management, documentation and compliance workflows

Manufacturing Capability

• Australian-made metalwork (stainless steel & aluminium)

• Dedicated wiring and harness assembly area

• Local supply chain for powder coating, fabrication and machining

• In-house prototyping, testing and validation

Integration Capability

• AC/DC power systems, UPS, PSUs and distribution units

• Fibre, RF, coaxial and network cabling

• Custom connector panels and patching

• Cooling, heating, airflow and thermal management

• Isolation mounts and shock mitigation for naval platforms

Defence Project Experience

Metromatics has delivered rack systems, consoles and integrated solutions to:

• ANZAC Class Frigates

• OPV Upgrade Programs

• AWD Project

• Collins Class Submarine upgrade 

• Minehunter Upgrade

• Towed Array AWD Project

• Defence Primes, integrators and shipyards across Australia

This experience ensures our MIL-STD racks are engineered for real platforms, real constraints and real Defence requirements.

Ancillary Items & Options

• Shelves and adjustable trays

• Connector and patch panels

• Control panels, indicators and alarms

• Power supplies, inverters, UPS systems

• Cable looms, harnesses and assemblies

• Bayed rack suites (red/black separation available)

• SCEC-approved locking mechanisms

FAQs

What makes these racks MIL-STD compliant?
These racks are tested and qualified against major naval MIL-STDs at an accredited external test house. Specifically, they undergo MIL-STD-901D shock testing, MIL-STD-167-1 vibration testing, and MIL-STD-461D EMI testing, as well as MIL-STD-1310 bonding verification. Together, these tests ensure the racks can withstand shock, vibration, EMI and the demanding environmental conditions found on naval vessels.

Can Metromatics custom-build a rack to my specifications?
Yes. In fact, Metromatics can customise almost every aspect of the rack.  Including height, width, depth, payload capacity, access panels, cabling, power distribution, airflow and environmental protection. This means you receive a rack that fits your exact platform and integration requirements.

Do you offer fully integrated solutions?
Yes. Metromatics supplies bare racks, partially integrated solutions or, if required, complete turnkey systems. This includes wiring, power distribution, cooling, fibre, copper and RF cabling.  As well as full documentation, ensuring the rack arrives ready for installation.

Are these racks suitable for ships and submarines?
Absolutely. These racks are specifically designed for shipboard environments and are qualified for shock and vibration performance. Additionally, they are corrosion-resistant.  Plus can be supplied with isolation mounts for platform-specific requirements.  Therefore, making them ideal for both surface vessels and submarines.

Metromatics – Local Australian Support

Finally, Metromatics provides full local whole life support.  Including design, manufacturing, integration, testing, installation advice and after-sales service from our offices in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.

Download

📄 Rugged Enclosures Brochure (PDF)

Contact us today for pricing, custom configurations or to discuss a MIL-STD rack solution for your platform.

The 19″ MIL-STD Lightweight Racks & Rugged Consoles Video below highlights products that are manufactured by Metromatics.