A multi-service platform system (100, 200, 300, 400) includes a computer chassis (101, 201, 301, 401) having a plurality of 3U slots (205), a backplane (104) integrated in the computer chassis, a switched fabric (106) on the backplane. At least one of a VMEbus network and a PCI network are coincident with the switched fabric on the backplane. A payload module (102) having a 3U form factor is coupled to interface with one of the plurality of 3U slots, where the payload module is communicatively coupled with the backplane using the switched fabric and at least one of the VMEbus network and the PCI network. At least one multi-gigabit connector (118) is coupled to a rear edge (119) of the payload module, where the at least one multi-gigabit connector is coupled to communicatively interface the payload module to the backplane, and where the switched fabric and at least one of the VMEbus network and the PCI network are communicatively coupled with the payload module through the at least one multi-gigabit connector.