Robust Electronics for Aircraft End Speed Indicator

Aircraft carrier control systems rely upon many sensors and signal processors to ensure safe and efficient aircraft launch and recovery. As one example subsystem, Digital End Speed Indicators (DESI) use reluctance sensors mounted within the catapult trough to determine aircraft end speed during launch. The DESI was developed in the 1980s, and recent reliability and obsolescence problems have highlighted the need for modernization and robustness improvements. Creare proposes to provide an Improved DESI (I-DESI) that utilizes modern components and a design hardened against temperature and vibration extremes to achieve these goals. During prior work we have developed a prototype and proven accurate and dependable performance compared with the DESI throughout multiple shipboard deployments. We propose to finalize and upgrade the design and components in accordance with military standards and prepare for production. We will continue to conduct shipboard trials to gain experience with the system and prepare for manufacturing, delivery, and support to begin.