SSDL awarded NATO AWACS contract

The contract was awarded by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) and the drives are based on SSDL’s popular SCSIFlash technology; modified to use CFast cards, as opposed to standard Compact Flash cards.

The drives are to be used to replace AWACS removable media assemblies (RMAs) that currently use Seagate hard disk drives (HDDs) that are more than 20 years old. SSDL’s drives will replace the original RMAs and replicate the exact behaviour of their HDDs - so no modifications need to be made to any of the aircraft when upgrading to the new drives.

In addition, the SCSIFlash-based RMAs provide functionality the original units never had. For example, at the request of NAEW&CF, the replacements include the ability to eject the CFast cards, whereas before the original HDD-based units had to be removed in their entirety, risking damage to the connectors on the rear. The replacement drives also have an Emergency Erase button on the front panel; this to destroy all data on the CFast card if the crew feel there is a risk of the aircraft falling into enemy hands.

Also, whereas the original RMAs have heaters for use in extremely low temperatures, SSDL’s solid-state-based solution requires no heating. Indeed, the replacement RMAs meet the environmental test requirements for equipment used on the AWACS, requirements that draw from parts of MIL-STD-810G.

The intended service life of the replacement RMAs is 13 years, during which time SSDL will provide technical support to ensure the units continue to function correctly. Support will include obsolescence management of the new RMA’s components.

“This is an important contract for us,” comments James Hilken, Sales Director of SSDL, “and is a prime example of our reverse engineering capabilities in the aerospace and defence sector. In switching to our SCSIFlash-based solution, the reliability of the RMAs has been greatly improved and NAEW&CF has capabilities they did not have before.”

The replacement units will be supplied with two USB cables, one for unit configuration and one for applying firmware updates.

NAEW&CF is also considering the purchase of SSDL’s CFast health monitoring software. It is a customised version of the industry-standard self-monitoring, analysis and reporting technology (SMART) that is included within most HDDs and SSDs. The PC-based software can be used to show the life remaining in the CFast cards.

SSDL also developed test frames, into which the new RMAs can be inserted. Developed for SSDL’s manufacturing and QA procedures, the test frames provide easy access to all signals on the RMA’s two rear connectors and will significantly simplify maintenance operations. Another use is to provide an easy method of connection to host systems at ground stations. NAEW&CF has an option to buy test frames.