The first applications of digital recorders were in avionics systems, where analog and tape based systems are gradually being replaced by digital, solid-state recorders, which can monitor, record and retrieve information in-flight as well as for post mission debriefings.
These recorders, connected to a standard 1553 data-bus, monitor all aircraft electronics systems, and the condition of critical mechanical systems on board, utilizing the Health & Usage Management System (HUMS). Multi-channel systems store all video feeds, including Helmet Mounted Displays (HMD), Head-Up Display (HUD), multifunction displays, and images received from the targeting pod or EO guided weapons. All of this data is stored on removable memory modules, which interface directly with the ground debriefing system. This allows flight records to be instantly used for mission debriefing and post mission analysis. With their large capacities and available processing power, these systems are transformed into networked memory banks to provide all networked systems with common access to virtually unlimited memory capacity.
Among the solid-state avionics recorders available on the market are TEAC’s MDR-87 and MDR-80, Smith Aerospace’s Digital Video Information System (DVIS) and Airborne Video Solid-State Recorder (AVSR), RADA Electronics Systems NCDR, and Elbit System’s DVR.
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