B1.4 - Tornado FTI Refurbishment: Bridging Legacy and Modernity in Aerospace Engineering
- Event
- ETTC 2024 - European Test and Telemetry Conference
2024-06-11 - 2024-06-13
Nuremberg - Chapter
- Data Acquisition I
- Author(s)
- J. F. Gineste, H. Körtzel, J. Ockerse - Airbus Defence and Space GmbH, Manching (Germany)
- Pages
- 166 - 174
- DOI
- 10.5162/ETTC2024/B1.4
- ISBN
- 978-3-910600-02-7
- Price
- free
Abstract
The Tornado FTI Refurbishment Project aims to extend the aircraft's service life from its first flight in 1974 until 2030. This holistic modernization involves significant upgrades to the Flight Test Instrumentation (FTI) and Ground Stations (FTGS). Onboard communications are being transitioned from PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) to Ethernet, from S-Band to C-Band and data transmission is evolving from analog (/Ch4) to digital telemetry (SOQPSK/Ch7). Addressing electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) issues was crucial, with a specialized shielding concept ensuring the integration of new hardware with legacy systems. Infrastructure modernization, including upgrading a 30-year-old measurement system, was essential. Performed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the project demonstrated exceptional adaptability and innovation. This presentation explores strategies for managing obsolescence, enhancing EMI resistance, and integrating advanced technologies, offering valuable lessons for future aerospace modernization endeavors.