Cassidian’s Barracuda technology

demonstrator UAV flight tests

advanced technologies in realistic

conditions

The System Two Acra KAM-500 data acquisition

units (DAUs), equipped with COTS

modules used to monitor various

avionics buses and analog sensors,

in a master slave configuration

The Results • Successful completion of a UAV

technology demonstrator flight

test campaign

• Development of a flexible, low-

cost DAS tightly integrated with

in-house systems

• Reliable accurate data delivered

on time to the onboard and

ground flight test systems

CASSIDIAN INSTRUMENTS

TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATOR

WITH Acra KAM-500

BARRACUDA

COMMERCIAL OFF-THE-SHELF

MODULAR DESIGN

The System To test the aircraft’s sense and avoid capabilities, auto taxi systems and automatic target recognition

system, the Barracuda was instrumented with two Acra KAM-500 DAUs in a master slave configuration. • Standard off-the-shelf modules to monitor avionics busses

and analog sensors

• Standard switch panel ensured an easy way to switch sensor inputs into the system

• Easy upgrade path - 13 user slot DAU provided spare slots

to add modules in the future without having to modify the system

The data acquisition system output a PCM stream displayed on the monitor and recorded on a stand-alone recorder as well as transmitted to the Flight Test Ground Station. It also has an Ethernet output used on the ground for hardware in the loop tests.

Acra KAM-500

Lowers Risk Proven on every platform type in

all environmental conditions

COTS hardware with short delivery

times

Reduces Cost of Ownership Reduced inventory of spares due

to common product line

Lower installation, setup and

maintenance requirements

Modular design greatly extends

system lifetime

FTI by Design Designed to minimize the data

transfer time from sensor to screen

Guaranteed predictable data

Simultaneous sampling occurs

across the complete system

WORKS ONCE

WORKS ALWAYS

“ The Acra KAM-500’s modular

architecture provides Cassidian with an easy and inexpensive way to upgrade the data acquisition system through the use of open module slots.

The Results I

Successful completion of a UAV technology

demonstrator flight test campaign.

By choosing Acra as their FTI supplier, Cassidian was

able to complete the flight test campaign with

minimal down time.

• The flexibility of the Acra KAM-500 enabled

reconfiguration on the fly

• The fast response of the support team kept the

program on track

The Barracuda is a UAV test bed for technologies

and procedures to be used in UAVs of the future. The

results of the flight trails will help define the future of

European UAV development.

“

Heiko Körtzel

Flight Test Instrumentation

Cassidian

Short, reliable delivery

dates and top notch

customer support that’s

always quick to respond to

issues are among some of

the reasons why we

continue to choose Acra

as our FTI supplier.

“

The Results II

Development of a flexible, low-cost DAS tightly

integrated with in-house systems.

• Flight test DAS created with COTS hardware

• Easy upgrade path; only add a new module to

the chassis for new data requirements

• Able to adapt to the different testing needs

• KSM-500 easily interfaced with Cassidian’s

database

The flexibility of the KAM-500 to adapt to different

testing needs was one of the primary reasons

Cassidian choose Acra to supply their FTI

equipment.

“

HIGH QUALITY DATA

FLIGHT AFTER FLIGHT

HIGH QUALITY DATA

FLIGHT AFTER FLIGHT

The Results III

Reliable accurate data delivered on time to the

onboard and ground flight test systems

KAM-500 was the longest running system on the

aircraft

• proving long time survivability and reliability

• “works once, works always”

• completeness of flight test campaign with

minimal down time

This combined with the high performance

achieved using an all-digital backplane means

reliable accurate data is delivered on time to

the Barracuda’s onboard and ground

segments.

For more information visit

www.cwc-ae.com

Curtiss-Wright Controls Avionics & Electronics

cwc-ae@curtisswright.com

665 North Baldwin Park Boulevard City of Industry, CA 91746, USA

Phone: 626-851-3100

Landscape House, Landscape Road Dublin 14, Ireland Phone: +353-1295-1264