The ICY DOCK ToughArmor EX MB491V5K-B is designed for NVMe drive replacement in PCIe 5.0 systems, accommodating U.2 and U.3 SSDs within a MIL-STD-810H-certified full-metal chassis. Shock and vibration resistance combine with tool-free hot-swap trays featuring a two-way lock for unmatched security. Hybrid active-passive cooling maintains optimal temperatures under sustained 128 Gbps workloads. Intelligent LED indicators tied to Active Power Technology illuminate only when drives are inserted, minimizing standby power consumption.
Table of Contents: What awaits you in this article
ToughArmor EX MB491V5K-B: Metal Flame-Retardant Housing Meets MIL-Grade Needs
The ICY DOCK ToughArmor EX MB491V5K-B uses a durable full-metal enclosure combined with a proprietary flame-retardant alloy to meet stringent military, industrial, and governmental standards. Its removable U.2/U.3 NVMe SSD tray features an integrated keyed lock and captive thumb screw, ensuring the drive remains secure against unauthorized removal, intense vibrations, and accidental ejection during transit. This design maximizes data integrity and equipment reliability in harsh, extreme, challenging operational environments worldwide.
Hot-Swappable Trays Support 15mm U.2/U.3 NVMe SSDs Without Tools
ToughArmor EX MB491V5K-B (Foto: Cremax Europe GmbH)
The hot-swap removable trays support U.2 and U.3 NVMe SSDs up to fifteen millimeters in height, facilitating rapid, tool-free media replacement without requiring chassis disassembly. This design integrates a spring-loaded dust cover that shields the interface from particulate contamination during drive insertion and removal. Optimized for edge computing, portable computing platforms, and Sneakernet storage transport, the MB491V5K-B chassis promotes minimal service interruption and maximizes operational uptime in mission-critical environments and applications.
Dual lock secures SSD tray, preventing shock data loss
The drive bay module incorporates a dual-lock mechanism designed for critical applications, combining a cylinder lock that blocks unauthorized SSD removal with a knurled thumbscrew that anchors the tray within its housing. This protective system reduces the risk of media disconnections caused by mechanical shock or vibration. By preventing accidental ejection under strenuous conditions, it ensures uncompromised data integrity in various environments such as autonomous vehicles, robotics, and military equipment.
Rugged MIL-STD-810H Metal Enclosure Withstands Extreme Shocks And Vibration
ToughArmor EX MB491V5K-B (Foto: Cremax Europe GmbH)
Engineered in compliance with MIL-STD-810H methods 516.8 for shock and 514.8 for vibration, the robust all-metal enclosure withstands impacts and mechanical stress commonly encountered in aerospace, industrial production lines, and demanding outdoor operations. Its solid metallic body doubles as an efficient passive heatsink, dissipating excess heat generated by the SSD. This thermal regulation maintains optimal drive temperatures during continuous high-performance tasks, thereby prolonging the operational lifespan of the storage device.
Robust Hybrid Cooling Maintains SSD Temperatures Under High Load
High-performance PCIe Gen 5.0 NVMe SSDs generate significant heat under heavy workloads. To prevent thermal throttling, the MB491V5K-B integrates a compact 25 Ã 25 mm high-speed fan, strategically positioned ventilation slots, and heat-optimized PCB cutouts. When combined with its full-metal enclosure, these features form an active-passive cooling hybrid system capable of maintaining thermal management. Even at sustained data transfer rates reaching 128 Gbps, this design ensures stable performance, heat dissipation.
Built-in LEDs signal SSD status, cutting idle power draw
An integrated LED provides feedback on power and data activity of the installed SSD. Using ICY DOCK’s Active Power Technology, the LEDs remain off when no drive is present, reducing background energy consumption during idle periods. This intelligent indicator conveys clear operational status without drawing extra current from the system. PC enthusiasts and integrators benefit from precise, unambiguous visual updates on SSD performance, enhancing diagnostics while maintaining overall power efficiency.
Eliminates Integrator, DIY Guesswork With NVMe Storage Selection Tool
For system integrators and DIY enthusiasts, ICY DOCK provides an intuitive NVMe storage selection toolkit online. It systematically guides users through choosing compatible drive trays, connectors, and adapters based on slot specifications and installation parameters. By clarifying interface standards and constraints, the tool removes guesswork, ensuring NVMe configurations match host requirements. The streamlined process accelerates assembly, reduces errors, and delivers cost-effective, reliable, high-performance, and scalable storage solutions across diverse applications.
Rugged PCIe 5.0 Hot-Swap SSD Module with Military Certification
The ICY DOCK ToughArmor EX MB491V5K-B enclosure combines rugged MIL-STD-810H certification with PCIe 5.0 throughput, enabling dependable, high-speed data transfers for demanding applications. Featuring hot-swap capability and dual locking mechanisms, it protects U.2/U.3 NVMe SSDs against shock, vibration, and unauthorized removal. Its hybrid cooling design integrates a high-performance fan and metal chassis for optimal temperature control, while intelligent power management and NVMe selection tools streamline integration and enhance drive longevity.
