Astronautics Corporation of America’s Airborne Communication Server System (ACSS) has been selected as the cyber-secured maintenance server for Airbus’ Tiger MkIII helicopter upgrade.
The system can securely upload data to the avionics and continuously download recorded data, both when the aircraft is on the ground and in flight.
The system also offers the ability to launch onboard systems checks and retrieve health status reports without having to physically access the equipment or pull it from the platform.
Using hardware-partitioned and domain-segregated architecture for ultimate data security, along with continuous risk assessment and vulnerabilities analysis performed by Astronautics’ cybersecurity assurance group, Astronautics is providing Airbus a heavily ruggedized, secure, and custom solution derived from its successful AeroSync Max.
The contract award is for 102 shipsets including spares. The ACSS consists of two onboard components: an Airborne Routing Computer (ARC) that interfaces with all avionics, onboard devices, and ground tools; and a Remote Data Card Interface that interfaces with removable media for uploading and downloading written content.
The ACSS supports key functions such as:
- Avionics system parameters acquisition and consolidation.
- Downloading of usage, maintenance, and security logs data continuously while on ground and in flight.
- Secured airborne ARINC 615A data loader function for maintenance of all equipment connected on Ethernet network and allowing the Field Loadable Software to be loaded into the connected equipment.
- Management of a removable media SD card.
- System back-up clock.
- Data repository access via a wired, connected device allowing the collection/insertion of data and the performance of equipment health checks. This interface also allows management of the ARC internal repository and equipment.
“After having widely deployed variants of this solution on many of Airbus’ civil platforms, Astronautics is pleased to be able to support Airbus with secure data loading and data export for their Tiger military helicopter,” said Tom Antczak, Astronautics’ senior program manager of connected aircraft solutions.
“We are confident that these secure and automated features will enhance mission success by decreasing both pilot and maintenance workloads.”
Airbus’ Tiger MkIII rotorcraft is a four-blade, twin-engine attack helicopter.
This press release was prepared and distributed by Astronautics.
