FLIGHT DATA RECORDERS AND CRASH SURVIVABLE MEMORY UNITS FOR TACTICAL MILITARY AIRCRAFT
by Jim Stillwell

L-3 Communications/ Electrodynamics (L-3/EDI) manufactures a wide range of solid-state flight data recorders and crash survivable memory units for tactical military aircraft. L-3/EDI also designs and manufactures solid-state data storage systems for military and aerospace applications.

L-3/EDI’s expertise is in the design, development, and production of the data recorders, crash memory units, and data storage systems.  These systems have been used on a wide range of platforms including B-1B, F-22, T-45, B-2, F-4, F-15, F-16, C-5 Galaxy, NATO AWACS, and the Space Shuttle.

The following are some examples of what L-3/EDI can provide.

Crash Survivable Flight Data Recorders and Memory Units
The Crash-Survivable Flight Data Recorder (CSFDR) receives vehicle, subsystem and environmental parameters via several available communication interfaces, and stores these parameters in uncompressed form in EEPROM solid-state memory.  It protects the data records from incidents and mishaps, to levels exceeding EUROCAE ED-55. The CSFDR can be easily adapted to any aircraft.  EDI also supplies a Flight Data Acquisition Unit suitable for operation with the CSFDR.

Some features include 4 MB to 192 MB Flash memory, RS-422, MIL-STD-1553B, 100 Base-T Ethernet, IEEE 1394A/B and Universal Serial Bus interfaces, and Crash Survivability Requirements that comply with EUROCAE ED-55.  More recent developments include an underwater locator beacon with replaceable battery.  Size and weight will depend on the specific features and product requirements, but can be as small as 3.0"H X 4.5" W x 6.5" L and weigh as little as 6 LBS.

T-45 A/C Advanced Signal Data Computer
The Advanced Signal Data Computer (ASDC) receives key vehicle, subsystem, and environmental parameters from up to sixty analog or digital channels simultaneously at up to 128 Hz, and stores formatted records in an internal crash protected memory module or an external memory unit such as L-3/EDI’s CSMU. The ASDC formats records for structural and engine integrity programs as well as incident and mishap investigation. The ASDC was developed for the T-45A/C trainers but can be easily adapted to other vehicles.

Features include editing and saving selected data and events in internal memory (8MB) or optional external crash-survivable memory unit; a 32 bit microprocessor with integrated co-processor; a remote terminal interface for device control data acquisition and data download; analog, discrete, synchro, tachometer, and vibration MIL-STD-1553 interfaces; error-checking capability on all storage operations; and up-loadable program memory; extraction over RS-422 bus or 1553.  Its dimensions are 7.0" H x 6.2" W x 10" D and weighs 17.4 lbs.

RT Crash Survivable Memory Unit
The RT Crash-Survivable Memory Unit (RT-CSMU) receives vehicle, subsystem and environmental parameters from a MIL-STD-1553B data bus, and stores these parameters in uncompressed form in electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM) solid-state memory. It protects the data records from incidents and mishaps, including crash protection exceeding FAA-TSO-C51a levels. The RT-CSMU was developed for the F-22 aircraft but can be easily adapted to other vehicles. L-3/EDI also supplies a Flight Data Recorder suitable for recording with the RT-CSMU.  It has up from 0.5 MB to 2 MB EEPROM storage capacity and a size of 3.8” H x 5.75” W x 5.4” L and a weight of 6.4 lbs. (2 MB).

For more information, contact:

Jim Stillwell
Director of Business Development
L-3 Communications, Electrodynamics, Inc.
Office: , Ext. 207
Fax:
Email: