Saab - Flight-Data Recording Systems and Ground Evaluation Systems

Saab offers technology, products and services within airborne mission and utility sub-systems, as well as electronic warfare, to defence forces and industries worldwide.

FLIGHT-DATA RECORDING SYSTEMS

We offer a broad product range in the flight-data recording area, from digital mission recording and data-transfer systems, cockpit video, and mission recording to Health and Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS) and crash-survivable Flight Data Recorders (FDRs).

We also offer software and hardware necessary for retrieving and evaluating the recorded information on the ground.

DIGITAL MISSION RECORDING AND DATA TRANSFER SYSTEMS

Mission recording for intelligence, training, debriefing and analysis is important for the effectiveness of an aircraft system and a growing area within avionics.

An integrated digital mission recording and data-transfer system enhances combat aircraft efficiency by maximising the experience gained from each flight, whether for training or in combat. Digital recording for intelligence purposes shortens the time between detection and action. With integrated image-coding for data link transmission, images can be transferred to the ground or another aircraft.

The digital mission recording system also enhances the training capability for each aircraft and in each mission. Complete missions can be evaluated in a ground station, including simulating effects of weapon deliveries and evaluating change of parameters.

DIGITAL MISSION RECORDING SYSTEM

Saab is the supplier of the digital mission recording system (DiRECT), for the Gripen multi-role fighter aircraft and NH90 helicopters (DiRECT CR).

DiRECT features JPEG 2000 video compression with configurable parameters. The DiRECT HR may give more than seven hours of recording, up to three high resolution video channels and up to nine standard resolution video channels and up to eight audio channels.

The DiRECT SR can be configured for up to nine standard resolution video channels, one HDTV video channel and up to nine audio channels with up to seven hours recording capability depending on memory size.

A version of the DiRECT digital mission recording system has been chosen by the Spanish Air Force for their F/A-18s to directly replace existing tape recorders with digital video recording. Saab is also supplying digital recorders to an upgrade on Merlin helicopters.

HEALTH AND USAGE MONITORING SYSTEMS

HUMS consist of airborne and ground-based equipment for the early detection of deviations from normal performance and accepted usage trends of flight-critical/life-limited aircraft systems and components, resulting in safer aircraft and lower aircraft life cycle costs.

We have delivered fighter aircraft, fighter trainer and combat helicopter HUMS and fatigue monitoring systems as well as ground evaluation systems.

Our HUMS systems have been installed in BAE Systems' Hawks, SU-30 fighter aircraft, Rooivalk combat-support helicopters, Agusta A109 helicopters, CASA C-295 transport aircraft and Airbus A330-200 MRTTs.

FLIGHT DATA RECORDING SYSTEMS

Our flight-data recording system provides onboard acquisition and storage for detailed post flight and engine run analysis. A subset of the recorded parameters is stored in a crash-survivable memory unit in accordance with EUROCAE ED55 and ED56A requirements.

Our flight-data recording systems have been installed on Sukhoi SU-30 fighter aircraft.