Flight Data Recorders. Debriefing Systems. Military Helicopters

Transcription

1 And Debriefing Systems In Military Helicopters The need to record flight data is inherent in any operational, maintenance or training environment or scenario. This requirement is true in fixed wing aircraft and is becoming more ands more of a must in many helicopter applications. In most avionics architectures, varied means are used to record the desired data. These will include a Health and Usage Monitoring unit (HUMS) for maintenance, an Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) unit used during training and various data and video recorders used to record data and video during an operation for post mission debriefing. PLR s Flight Data Recorder and its associated ground based debriefing system provide a unique and unified solution for all these requirements. Packaged in a single LRU, the FDR provides total flexibility to all those requiring its services. Operating in conjunction with a Mission Planning and Debriefing Station, the FDR serves as the interface between the pilot, operations officer and maintenance personnel, and the overall operational requirements of any Air Force or Law Enforcement Agency. System Benefits: One LRU operates as HUMS, ACMI and DTE Digital solid state recording no moving parts Records all flight parameters on one media Over 3 Giga Bytes of recording memory Fully synchronized data and video Unified Mission Planning and Debriefing Station Easily adaptable and interfaced to any helicopter or fixed wing A/C October

2 The Flight Data Recorder The Flight Data Recorder is a cockpit mounted unit, which fits into a standard instrument slot in one of the cockpits side panels. Data is stored on standard PCMCIA Flash Memory cards, capable of recording over 3 Giga Bytes of data. The FDR can record both digital and analog data. The digital data is normally read from one of the busses in the system, such as a 1553 Mux Bus, ARINC-429 or RS-232/422/485. The PCMCIA Flash Memory Cards are inserted into two slots on the front panel of the unit, which features a rugged retention and ejection mechanism with a sealed access cover. The use of commercially available PCMCIA Cassettes provides an attractive solution for mass data storage, both in its availability, low cost and its ease of use. Such Flash Memories have become very common in numerous applications and are today readily available. Video/Data Synchronization The capability to view a recorded video picture simultaneously with aircraft data is an important requirement in any debriefing system. A unique feature of the FDR is its capability to synchronize recorded data with a video recording of the helicopters video tape recorder. This is achieved by transmitting a synchronized time tag from the FDR to the. The technique provides data and video synchronization to within one frame. A/C Systems Video synchronization FDR PCMCIA memory Video cassette October

3 The unit communicates with the onboard VCR and inserts a GPS Time Code on the video signal. The recorded time base is then used by the Ground Station to accurately synchronize video, audio and the recorded flight data. The video source is either from a FLIR source, a CCD, a Symbol Generator, an externally mounted gimbled camera or any other video source. Debriefing Station The ground based Debriefing Station is capable of displaying recorded data synchronized with the recorded video. This can also be displayed in conjunction with a 3D Terrain Map. The FDR records the flown route, which can later be replayed over the terrain, showing one or more aircraft. When used in this manner, the system provides an excellent pilot debriefing tool or as a practice run for special missions. The main features of the Mission Planning and Debriefing Station are: Can plan, rehearse and debrief a mission on same station Flight path is overlaid on high resolution 3D terrain Debriefing of multiple aircraft in engagement zone Flight data displayed in user defined format Synchronized display of recorded video and flight data Video Monitor Video Monitor PC October

4 Pilot Air Combat Training and Evaluation System One of the most obvious applications for the FDR is to use it as a Pilot Air Combat Training and Evaluation System (PACTES). In this application the video, audio and bus traffic of a combat training flight is recorded and used to test the pilots A/A and A/G weapon delivery capabilities. The system acts as a training aid and enables the pilot to replay his sorties. The debriefing and analysis is achieved using a Ground Based Debriefing Station. When entering the cockpit, the pilot inserts an empty PCMCIA cassette into the appropriate slot in the cockpit mounted FDR unit. This is done in each aircraft participating in the training session. Just before the aircraft reaches the engagement zone the RECORD switch is turned on and video and data recording begins. In addition to the video and intercom, the FDR continuously records the aircraft s attitude and position, engine parameters, as well as other essential parameters. A synchronized time base, usually from the GPS, is also recorded. All these are recorded for each participating aircraft, enabling to rebuilt a 3D picture on the Debriefing Station. Health and Usage Monitoring System The Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) is used for archiving of the aircraft engine cycles, aircraft structure, transmission boxes and other parameters. This data is then utilized in conjunction with a database of aircraft history and provides a critical cost saving maintenance tool. The recorded parameters, sampling rates, max/min levels are user defined and will vary from aircraft to aircraft. Additionally, failures are also recorded. Failure history of avionics, engine and airframe systems are used as an efficient troubleshooting tool and are also used for mishap investigation. Optionally, when used together with a Crash Safe Memory Data Recorder, the FDR can be utilized in the investigation of severe accidents. The recorded data includes engine performance and other parameters influencing aircraft health. The HUMS function provides: October

5 Immediate "health" status of the aircraft "Time at Level" for selected parameters Limit Exceedance Data Engine Database Management Maintenance Report Generation These functions provide workload and cost saving benefits. They also ensure reduced mission aborts and a higher degree of crew safety. The system can be interfaced to virtually any engine that provides a digital readout. October