Core Avionics Master Plan - NAVAIR - U.S. Navy

Core Avionics Master Plan 2011 Appendix A-1C. Information Transfer and Storage. The Storage capability element coversequipment that provides on-board retention of aircraft performance data and missioninformation for post-flight mission debrief/analysis and maintenance.1. Current Capabilities.Personal Computer Memory Card Interface Adapter (PCMCIA) cards are currentlyused for upload, download and storage of data, but are becoming obsolete. The mostrecent specification is version 8.0, released in 2001. PC Cards fit into a PC during themission planning function and record waypoints, maps, mission notes and frequencies,and known enemy locations. The cards are then used to transfer information via theAdvanced Memory Unit (AMU) portion of the TAMMAC digital map system to displaythe intended route of flight and planned mission tasks. The Digital Data Set (DDS), acomponent of the GPS hardware installed on more than 30 types of U.S. Navy andMarine Corps aircraft, is another high-capacity, solid-state data storage and retrievalsystem consisting of a removable memory cartridge with embedded PCMCIA cards anda cockpit-mounted aircraft receptacle. PCMCIA card memory size has increased from 2megabytes to 2 gigabits in response to the demand for larger file storage andupload/download capabilities. Other aircraft use the Mission Loader Verifier System(MLVS) to upload various avionics software upgrades. Other mass memory mediatechnologies include ruggedized rotating disks, digital and analog tape systems, andsolid-state devices. Mission sensor files and camera recordings are generally too largefor solid-state digital recording. Current systems are also limited to holding one securityclassification level of data at a time.Larger file sizes and increasing load times are driving a requirement for greatertransfer device capacity and higher interface speeds. Increased capacity is alsorequired for higher fidelity digital terrain geo-referencing data in support of terrain andobstacle avoidance during low level missions or rotorcraft recovery in degraded visualenvironments. Hardware obsolescence in the current ASQ-215 Digital Data Set (DDS),which is used to load mission planning information, presents an opportunity fordevelopment of a common solution that leverages emergent COTS data transfer andmemory technologies. PC cards are being replaced in commercial practice by faster,more rugged interfaces such as PC Express or USB drives. The AH-1W platform ispursuing a COTS-based modern digital recorder solution to address current systemobsolescence issues and satisfy near term urgent requirements.2. Funded Enhancements and Potential Pursuits.Wireless Information Download (T-45, JSF). (2012) Wireless download ofmission data and maintenance diagnostic information will enable planners and groundcrews to get an early start on maintenance issues and accelerate aircraft turnaround forfollowing missions. T-45C is fielding an airborne recorder that will enable wirelessdownload of four audio channels, two video channels, 1553 data bus information,engine performance parameters and airframe structural analysis information. Typicalmission and maintenance information for one flight ranges from 1.0 to 1.5 Gigabytes(Gb) of data. The system is designed to download two Gb of data in two seconds at arange up to 2000 feet. The system incorporates a MOSA design, and is planned forexpansion to other training platforms, including T-44, TH-57 and T-6.A-1 Information Management 10