Solid State Disks Limited Wins NATO Contract for AWACS Aircraft Upgrade

Solid State Disks Limited (SSDL) has secured a key contract to supply NATO’s Airborne Early Warning & Control Force (NAEW&CF), based in Geilenkirchen, Germany, with 40 solid-state data storage drives. These advanced drives, built on SSDL’s reliable SCSIFlash™ technology, will be used in the Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) aircraft, replacing outdated hard disk drives (HDDs).

SCSIFlash™ Drives: Improved Reliability and Functionality

The contract, awarded by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), will see SSDL’s solid-state drives replace Seagate HDD-based removable media assemblies (RMAs) that have been in service for over 20 years. These drives, utilising CFast cards instead of Compact Flash cards, ensure seamless integration by replicating the exact behaviour of the original RMAs—allowing for a straightforward upgrade with no aircraft modifications required.

In addition to mimicking HDD functionality, the new SCSIFlash™ RMAs offer enhanced features. For example, the drives include a convenient ejectable CFast card, eliminating the need to remove the entire unit as was previously required, reducing the risk of damaging rear connectors. An emergency erase button has also been added, allowing the crew to destroy all data on the CFast card if the aircraft is at risk of falling into enemy hands.

Designed for Military Standards

SSDL’s solid-state RMAs meet the demanding environmental requirements of the AWACS fleet, including elements of the MIL-STD-810G standard, which ensures the units function in extreme conditions. Unlike the original RMAs, which required built-in heaters for operation in low temperatures, SSDL’s solid-state solution operates without the need for additional heating, enhancing durability and reducing maintenance needs.

The replacement RMAs have a projected service life of 13 years, during which SSDL will provide ongoing technical support, including component obsolescence management to maintain optimal performance throughout the lifespan of the units.

Driving Innovation in Aerospace

James Hilken, Sales Director at SSDL, highlighted the importance of this contract in showcasing SSDL’s reverse engineering capabilities in the aerospace and defence sectors. “Switching to our SCSIFlash-based solution has significantly improved RMA reliability while also offering capabilities that NAEW&CF didn’t previously have,” said Hilken.

Future Capabilities and Monitoring Solutions

NAEW&CF is also considering adopting SSDL’s CFast health monitoring software, a customised version of the widely-used SMART (self-monitoring, analysis and reporting technology) system found in most HDDs and SSDs. This software will allow for real-time monitoring of the CFast card’s health and remaining lifespan, adding further value to the system upgrade.

Additionally, SSDL has designed test frames to simplify maintenance and testing operations for the new RMAs. These frames provide easy access to the RMA’s rear connectors and are also capable of connecting to ground station systems. NAEW&CF has the option to purchase these frames as part of the wider upgrade package.

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