Quantum Announces LTO-10 Support for Scalar Tape Libraries, Boosting Storage Capacity and Cyber Protection

Quantum Corporation announced support for LTO-10 full-height tape drives in its Scalar tape libraries, strengthening its leadership in high-density, secure, and cost-effective archival storage solutions. The new drives have a native capacity of 30 TB per cartridge (up to 75 TB compressed) and are ideal for long-term archiving. The Scalar i7 RAPTOR library can store up to 60 PB in a single rack and offers 70% lower operational costs.

Quantum Corporation (NASDAQ: QMCO) has announced support for LTO® Ultrium® format generation 10 full-height tape drives in its Scalar tape libraries, including the industry-leading Scalar® i7 RAPTOR, Scalar i6, and Scalar i6000 systems. This advancement positions Quantum at the forefront of delivering high-density, secure, and cost-effective archival storage solutions.

The new LTO-10 drives feature a native capacity of 30 TB per cartridge, which can be compressed to up to 75 TB, making them ideal for long-term archiving. The Scalar i7 RAPTOR library can store up to 60 PB (LTO-10 native) in a single rack, significantly enhancing storage density and operational efficiency. This results in a 70% reduction in operational costs through savings in floor space, power, and cooling.

Quantum, along with IBM® and HPE®, is a long-standing member of the LTO Consortium, which directs development and manages licensing and certification of LTO. LTO-10 serves as a core enabling technology across Quantum’s end-to-end solutions, powering integrated cold storage tiers in ActiveScale® object storage, extending automated archival tiers in StorNext® file system, and enhancing long-term backup retention in DXi® data protection appliances.

The new LTO-10 drives feature multiple interface options, including 32 Gb Fibre Channel and 12 Gb SAS, delivering up to 400 MB/s per drive. The LTO-10 SAS drives also support active optical connectivity, expanding cable distances from 10 to 100 meters, providing increased deployment flexibility. Unlike previous generations, LTO-10 requires no media calibration, streamlining operations and improving efficiency.

Quantum is currently accepting orders for LTO-10-based solutions, including Scalar i7 Raptor, Scalar i6, Scalar i6000, and within ActiveScale object storage, and expects shipments to begin later this quarter.

References:
[1] https://www.stocktitan.net/news/QMCO/quantum-announces-lto-10-support-for-scalar-tape-delivering-the-0o5s880hh3n6.html
[2] https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250529617070/en/Quantum-Announces-LTO-10-Support-for-Scalar-Tape-Delivering-the-Industrys-Highest-Capacity-to-Store-More-Scale-Faster-and-Preserve-Every-Bit