Airbus has selected L3 Technologies to provide and integrate new voice and data flight recorders for the entire range of Airbus commercial ...
Airbus has selected L3 Technologies to provide and integrate new voice and data flight recorders for the entire range of Airbus commercial aircraft.
The new devices will come in two versions: a fixed crash-protected Cockpit Voice and Data Recorder (CVDR), capable of recording up to 25 hours of voice and flight data on a single recorder; and an Automatic Deployable Flight Recorder (ADFR).
L3 will design and manufacture the CVDR, while it will be an integrator, in partnership with Airbus for the ADFR that will be designed and manufactured by DRS Technologies Canada Ltd. (a Leonardo DRS company). DRS will also design the mechanical ejection system.
The new CVDR answers the EASA and ICAO requirement to extend the duration of voice recording to 25 hours (today the current requirement calls for a duration of two hours of voice recording). Two of these new CVDRs would be fitted on the shorter-range A320 airliners.
This will greatly increase the redundancy for both voice and flight data recovery, compared with today’s airliner installations – which comprise just one flight data recorder plus one separate voice recorder.
The new deployable ADFR is aimed at long-range aircraft, with extended flight time over water or remote areas, such as the Airbus A321LR, A330, A350 and A380.
This system will add a state-of-the-art capability new to commercial airliners: the ability to be deployed in the event of significant structural deformation or water submersion.
Designed to float, the crash-protected memory module also contains up to 25 hours of recorded cockpit voice and flight data and will be equipped with an integrated Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) to help rescue teams rapidly locate and recover flight recorders.
The deployable ADFR will be installed in the rear of the fuselage, while a fixed CVDR will be installed near the front of the aircraft – thus greatly increasing the redundancy for both voice and flight data recovery, compared with today’s systems.
The new recording systems will be available in 2019 initially on the A350 XWB, with subsequent deployment on all other Airbus aircraft types.
The new devices will come in two versions: a fixed crash-protected Cockpit Voice and Data Recorder (CVDR), capable of recording up to 25 hours of voice and flight data on a single recorder; and an Automatic Deployable Flight Recorder (ADFR).
L3 will design and manufacture the CVDR, while it will be an integrator, in partnership with Airbus for the ADFR that will be designed and manufactured by DRS Technologies Canada Ltd. (a Leonardo DRS company). DRS will also design the mechanical ejection system.
The new CVDR answers the EASA and ICAO requirement to extend the duration of voice recording to 25 hours (today the current requirement calls for a duration of two hours of voice recording). Two of these new CVDRs would be fitted on the shorter-range A320 airliners.
This will greatly increase the redundancy for both voice and flight data recovery, compared with today’s airliner installations – which comprise just one flight data recorder plus one separate voice recorder.
The new deployable ADFR is aimed at long-range aircraft, with extended flight time over water or remote areas, such as the Airbus A321LR, A330, A350 and A380.
This system will add a state-of-the-art capability new to commercial airliners: the ability to be deployed in the event of significant structural deformation or water submersion.
Designed to float, the crash-protected memory module also contains up to 25 hours of recorded cockpit voice and flight data and will be equipped with an integrated Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) to help rescue teams rapidly locate and recover flight recorders.
The deployable ADFR will be installed in the rear of the fuselage, while a fixed CVDR will be installed near the front of the aircraft – thus greatly increasing the redundancy for both voice and flight data recovery, compared with today’s systems.
The new recording systems will be available in 2019 initially on the A350 XWB, with subsequent deployment on all other Airbus aircraft types.
