AN/UYK-20
| Industry | Computer hardware, Military electronics |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1951 |
| Products | AN/UYK-20 Data Processing Set |
The AN/UYK-20 Data Processing Set was a durable compact computer produced by Univac during the 1970s for use by the United States Navy. Engineered for deployment on small to medium-sized vessels as well as shore installations, it utilized non-volatile magnetic core memory and was encased in a robust metal cube designed to pass through a 25-inch diameter hatch.
In 1972, in an effort to unify the Navy's varied small computer assets, the Chief of Naval Material designated the AN/UYK-20(V) as the standard digital processor for systems requiring compact computing power. The system gained official approval for operational use in March 1974 and began integration into tactical system projects by the end of that year.
Commonly nicknamed the "Yuck Twenty," the AN/UYK-20 designation is derived from the Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS), identifying it as the twentieth Army-Navy electronic device intended for general-purpose data processing. This naming convention continues to be employed across all Department of Defense electronic equipment.
Technical
Apart from its fleet roles, the AN/UYK-20 functioned as the principal training apparatus for U.S. Navy Data Systems Technicians (DS), emphasizing instruction in digital computing principles and practical operation. The comprehensive nine-month curriculum was divided into four stages, with Phase 3 specifically focusing on the UYK-20. This phase included study areas such as:
- Microinstructions
- Macroinstructions
- Processor/Emulator functions
- Memory architecture
- Input/Output operations
- Graded Troubleshooting (MIDS), an intensive overnight fault isolation exercise essential for advancement
Phase 3 was widely regarded as the most demanding portion of Data Systems A School located at Mare Island, California. After the discontinuation of the DS rating, Electronic Technicians (ET) assumed maintenance duties, predominantly employing the UYK-20 in platforms like NAVMACS.
