Abstract: In this article, we analyze the requirements of "Grand challenges" problems in high speed scientific computations for massive parallel processing (MPP) systems, compare vector supercomputers with MPP, introduce the present state of the art and key technology of MPP, and discuss the issues of parallel computational models, parallel algorithms, and parallel programming environment. The purpose of this article is to call attention of reserchers in computional physics area to the MPP.

Key words: massive parallel processing (MPP), massive parallel computer (MPC)