Digital Aircraft Data Storage

ABSTRACT:To address the Air Forces need for an open systems architecture data transfer device (DTD), Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a Digital Aircraft Data Storage (DADS) that provides a solution maintaining compatibility with existing mission planning equipment (MPE) and aircraft data transfer and recording sources.This addresses MPE media obsolescence while providing a compatible solution with legacy aircraft that lays the foundation for an option to execute a longer-term strategy that completes the avionics modernization of the digital media and the data recording systems throughout the USAF. In Phase I, POC developed a data transfer unit (DTU) and DTD for the F-15 platform as identified by the USAF. We also analyzed each platform selected for evaluation (F-15, F-16, A-10) with its currently deployed DTU and DTD, focusing on the interfaces between the DTD media and the DTU. DADS requires no aircraft harness rewiring or Operational Flight Program modifications. In Phase II, POC will further develop two distinct prototypes for a demonstration showing DADS compatibility on two aircraft platforms. This will include incorporating encryption of all data using data-at-rest encryption techniques. An optional ability to connect to a crash survivable memory unit is provided.BENEFIT:DADS immediately addresses the Air Forces critical near-term obsolescence issues with current aircraft data transfer devices that are based on obsolete/aging technologies, such as PCMCIA and magnetic disks, by providing a digital media storage solution that is compatible with existing equipment and uses open-system standards.This approach gives the Air Force a low-risk strategy to mitigate immediate obsolescence issues and supports an optional path for longer-term growth to a fully modern digital storage solution.