Navy asks Mercury for data transfer units and removable storage modules for V-22 Osprey tiltrotor avionics
PATUXENT RIVER NAS, Md. – U.S. Navy combat aircraft avionics experts needed ruggedized data transfer units for versions of the U.S. and allied V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. They found their solution from Mercury Systems Inc. in Torrance, Calif.
Officials of the Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., announced an $16.5 million order to Mercury in December for data transfer units, removable storage modules, and 51 docking station cables for V-22 tiltrotor aircraft.
Data transfer units
Mercury Mission Systems (formerly Physical Optics Corp.) will provide five data transfer units, 102 removable storage modules, and 51 docking station cables U.S. Air Force CV-22 aircraft; 277 data transfer units, 554 removable storage modules, and 277 docking station cables in support of the V-22 Osprey for the Navy; 17 data transfer units, 34 removable storage modules, and 17 docking station cables for Japan.
Mercury predecessor Physical Optics developed a new Automatic Real-Time, Reconfigurable interface Generalization Hardware (ARRGH) multiprotocol data recorder and data storage system as part of the Automatic Real-Time, Reconfigurable Interface Generalization Hardware Multiprotocol Data Recorder project. Mercury acquired Physical Optics in late 2020.
The phase-one ARRGH design is based on integrating hybrid transcoding hardware, RAID-based mass storage, and intelligent transcoding heuristic software, Navy officials say.
This 40-Watt, 11-pound design offers seamless on-the-fly rerouting and data translation of input signals to and from the data recorder irrespective of interfaces involved.
Removable memory
A plug-and-play self-sealing environmentally protected removable memory unit (RMU) enables rapid upgrades to avert obsolescence by capitalizing on commercial solid-state memories. The prototype includes shell adapters to ensure form-factor compliance with a variety of current data recorders, including the RM-6000f on F/A-18.
The ARRGH provides 1 terabyte of removable memory, sustained write speeds of 550 megabits per second (2700 megabits per second burst) and has a built-in self-test.
The second phase of the ARRGH project produced a fully functional ground-tested prototype and a flight-test-ready prototype, as well as defined a platform integration roadmap, got started on device certification.
On this order, Mercury will do the work in Torrance, Calif., and should be finished by February 2027. For more information contact Mercury Mission Systems online at www.mrcy.com/products/data-storage-and-transfer, or Naval Air Systems Command at www.navair.navy.mil.
John Keller | Editor-in-Chief
John Keller is the Editor-in-Chief, Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine--provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronics and optoelectronic technologies in military, space and commercial aviation applications. John has been a member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since 1989 and chief editor since 1995.
