Digital Aircraft Data Storage System

ABSTRACT: To address the Air Force"s need for an open systems architecture data transfer device, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes an innovative approach that will provide a solution that maintains compatibility with existing Mission Planning Equipment (MPE) and aircraft data recording sources. This approach immediately addresses MPE media obsolescence while providing a compatible solution with legacy aircraft. This solution lays the foundation for an option to execute a longer-term strategy that completes the avionics digital media and modernization of the data recording system. In Phase I, POC will investigate prioritized aircraft platforms identified by the USAF and analyze each selected platform with its currently deployed data transfer unit (DTU) and data transfer device (DTD), focusing on the interfaces between the DTD media and the DTU, then propose a form, fit, functional, and interface (F^3I) for legacy DTUs. This novel technical approach for digital storage media, called Digital Aircraft Data Storage (DADS), requires no aircraft harness rewiring. In Phase II, POC will develop and produce prototype units for a demonstration showing DADS compatibility on two aircraft platforms. This will include addressing several options for the DTU including: NSA Type-1 encryption, crash-survivable memory, and multiple independent level security (MILS) using a cross-domain solution. BENEFIT: DADS immediately addresses the Air Force"s near-term critical obsolescence issues with current aircraft data transfer devices that are based on analog technology, such as magnetic media, and older digital technology such as battery-backed RAM, by providing a digital media storage solution that is compatible with existing equipment. 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.