Electra IC VPX products: BitFlex modules and local chassis
Quick answer: Electra IC’s VPX product family consists of the BitFlex-VPX3-MZQ1 and BitFlex-VPX3-MZQU FPGA processing modules, the VPX3-CH101 (3U) and VPX6-CH101 (6U) open-frame development chassis, and custom 3U VPX backplanes. VPX is the board standard for radar, electronic warfare and image processing computers in defense electronics. According to its March 2021 announcement, the company brought the VPX3-CH101 to market as “Turkey’s first 100 percent indigenous 3U VPX development chassis”.
What is VPX and why does it matter?
VPX (VITA 46/65) is an embedded computing board standard with a high-speed serial switched architecture, built to withstand vibration and harsh environmental conditions. It has become the de facto standard for military applications demanding high bandwidth, such as radar signal processing, electronic warfare and avionics mission computers. With VPX cards and chassis largely imported into Turkey, the entry of local manufacturers into this field reduces foreign dependency in platform programs.
BitFlex VPX processing modules
According to the official product page, the BitFlex-VPX3-MZQ1 is a high-performance 3U VPX FPGA processing module based on the Xilinx Zynq family, offering multiple high-speed interfaces, external memory, an FMC slot and high-density I/O. The BitFlex-VPX3-MZQU is the advanced version based on Zynq UltraScale+. Both modules were optimized for signal and image processing applications. Module prices are not officially disclosed.
| Product | Type | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| BitFlex-VPX3-MZQ1 | 3U VPX FPGA module | Xilinx Zynq; FMC slot, high-speed interfaces |
| BitFlex-VPX3-MZQU | 3U VPX FPGA module | Zynq UltraScale+; signal/image processing |
| VPX3-CH101 | 3U development chassis | Custom or COTS backplanes up to 10 slots |
| VPX6-CH101 | 6U development chassis | Backplane support up to 10 slots |
| Custom 3U VPX backplane | Backplane | Customer-specific design and production |
Development chassis and backplanes
The VPX3-CH101 and VPX6-CH101 are open-frame chassis for development and test purposes; both support custom or off-the-shelf backplanes with up to 10 slots. The company also states that it designs customer-specific backplanes and chassis using advanced design tools and automated production equipment. This infrastructure also underpins box-level products such as the MGECU military control unit covered in the product guide.
The practical value of a development chassis
A team developing a VPX-based mission computer needs a chassis, backplane and power infrastructure to run its cards in the laboratory. Because lead times for imported development chassis can stretch and export licenses may be required, an off-the-shelf local chassis delivers tangible gains in project schedules. Electra IC states that its open-frame design simplifies development tasks such as card insertion and removal, signal measurement and thermal observation; the chassis can be used both with the company’s own BitFlex modules and with third-party VPX cards.
Its place in the ecosystem
The VPX modules share the same engineering infrastructure as the company’s FPGA board and SoM family; FPGA design and verification services complement the modules’ firmware development. The products are exhibited under the “3U-VPX-MODULE” label at exhibitions such as SAHA EXPO and DSA. User programs are not officially disclosed. The presence of firms working in radar and electronic warfare, such as ASELSAN, Meteksan and SDT, on the company’s references page points to the target market of the VPX infrastructure; however, the scope of the work carried out with these firms has not been made public.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the VPX3-CH101 significant?
According to the company’s announcement, the product is Turkey’s first 100 percent indigenous 3U VPX development chassis; it gives teams developing local VPX cards a test environment without dependence on imported chassis.
Which processors do the BitFlex modules use?
The MZQ1 model uses the Xilinx Zynq family, the MZQU model the Zynq UltraScale+ family.
How many slots do the chassis support?
Both the 3U and the 6U chassis support custom or COTS backplanes with up to 10 slots.
Who uses the VPX products?
User and program names are not officially disclosed; the references page lists Turkish defense firms working in radar and electronic warfare.
Have prices been announced?
Not officially disclosed.
Sources and verification note
Technical information was taken from the company’s official product pages; the “first 100 percent indigenous” statement was relayed from the March 2021 company announcement and labeled as a company claim. User and price data was not written because it has not been disclosed.
- https://www.electraic.com/products/electronic-cards (Accessed: August 13, 2026)
- https://www.electraic.com/products/embedded-systems (Accessed: August 13, 2026)
- https://www.electraic.com/news/electraic-launches-turkey-s-first-100-indigenous-3u-vpx-development-chassis (Accessed: August 13, 2026)
- https://defensehere.com/en/electra-ic-highlights-solutions-at-dsa-2026/ (Accessed: August 13, 2026)
