ASHBURN, Va. – January 30, 2018 – Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions division has announced that its Fortress™ family of flight data recorders has been qualified for Safety of Flight release. Fortress meets the requirements set forth by the EUROCAE ED-112A “Minimum Operational Performance Specification for Crash Protected Airborne Recorder Systems” standard. Safety of Flight environmental qualification tests validate the ruggedness, operating temperature range and mitigation of problematic EMC emissions during operation. The successful completion of these critical tests results in a preliminary Declaration of Design and Performance (DDP) document identifying the results which is recognized and signed by an EASA representative thus enabling the Fortress to be used for flight test applications.
The compact and lightweight Fortress family is the newest range of flight data recorders on the market. The Fortress range combines a Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), Flight Data Recorder (FDR), DataLink Recorder and Image Recorder in a single unit and can be rapidly modified to meet customization requirements for particular aircraft needs. Designed to meet all current and upcoming aviation regulations, including EUROCAE ED-112A, FAA TSO and EASA ETSO requirements, these highly functional units deliver longer recording time, satisfying forthcoming Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) 25 hour mandates. They are believed to be the industry’s first flight data recorders to meet the demanding requirements of ED-112A.
“We are excited to announce that our Fortress family of recorders, the most advanced lightweight and functional flight data recorder available today, has passed this important stage of its qualification program,” said Lynn Bamford, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Defense Solutions division. “We are well on track to becoming the first supplier to meet flight data recorder extended operational requirements and increased crash survivability test requirements included in ED-112A. This achievement furthers our commitment to helping both new and older aircraft meet the latest regulations while using the best technology available to add more functionality in less space and at a lower cost.”
About Fortress Recorders:
The Fortress recorder architecture makes it easier and more cost-effective to add new functionality within the unit, such as MIL-STD-1553 data links and health and usage monitoring systems (HUMS), all while reducing aircraft LRU count and overall system weight. At under 8 lbs. including a 90 day ULB, the new Fortress recorders weigh less than early generation solid state recorder alternatives, which helps to significantly reduce fuel cost savings (for example, it’s estimated that each additional kilogram on a 150-seat airliner typically adds a $120 burden in fuel usage for every 4,500 flight hours). This breakthrough in weight reduction results from Curtiss-Wright’s decades of expertise in optimizing the crash recorder electronics, materials and manufacturing process. The recorders also support dual-redundant CVR/FDR installation to mitigate the risk of mandatory grounding in case of recorder failure.
Curtiss-Wright has a long heritage in designing and manufacturing flight data recorders. Developed by the originator of the first combined cockpit voice/flight data recorder, these innovative recorders meet all current and anticipated EUROCAE ED-112A, FAA TSO and EASA ETSO requirements. The Fortress family of recorders is ideal for a wide range of aircraft platforms, including helicopters, airliners, executive and military jets. Housed in a compact rugged unit, the new recorders are hard-mountable for fast, easy installation.
Sales inquiries: Please forward all sales and reader service inquiries to [email protected].
For more information on Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions products, please visit www.curtisswrightds.com.
About Curtiss-Wright Corporation
Curtiss-Wright Corporation is a global innovative company that delivers highly engineered, critical function products and services to the commercial, industrial, defense and energy markets. Building on the heritage of Glenn Curtiss and the Wright brothers, Curtiss-Wright has a long tradition of providing reliable solutions through trusted customer relationships. The company employs approximately 8,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit www.curtisswright.com.
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Aaron T. Smith
Air Force Research Laboratory
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