New Digital Recorders for F-16s
To Enhance Squadron Debriefing

The Israel Air Force plans to convert the video recorders on its F-16s to digital solid state systems in an effort to improve mission debriefing at the fighter squadron level.

Solid-state video/data recorders, such as Vectop's new VDS-90, can store more than two hours of video data, as well as flight information gathered from the aircraft data buses. Recording of existing aircraft video signals such as HUD camera or FLIR on a digital solid state platform provides better video quality and debriefing convenience, as the user can search for a specified Event Mark and instantly access any desired point in time.

Synchronized video signals are reconstructed at the squadron level, using a Video Ground Replay Station, providing images of the mission's phases, at a single aircraft or formation level. The VDS-90's communication ports and digital memory capabilities are utilized to perform tasks traditionally performed by ACMI/DTS systems, eliminating the need for such dedicated units. The data recorded by the VDS-90 can be reconstructed to full Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation on mainstream ground ACMI stations, providing significant simplification of synchronization and integration processes at the ground debriefing station level.

The VDS-90 Memory Cartridge can store mission data generated by ground Mission Planning Stations. This data can be loaded to the aircraft Avionics / Navigation systems using common RS-422/1553 buses, the same way this task is performed by legacy DTC/DTS systems.

Since all the information uses a common time base, multi-platform maneuvering can be reconstructed for debriefing, without the use of special Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation. Cockpit or pilot line of sight views can be recorded by the use of special high-resolution video cameras looking through the Head Up Display or through the pilot's night vision goggles. Images form targeting systems or smart weapons can also be recorded, and instantly played-back to evaluate battle damage assessment in flight.

The VDS-90 was designed as a common unit that can replace different generations of legacy systems, such as TEAC V-80 and V-250. The VDS-90 reduces the high cost involved in the aircraft upgrade that may include hardware, wiring and software changes, as it offers "drop-in" replacement for such analog systems.

A requirement for such "drop-in" replacement of an analog system was recently demonstrated by an Israeli Air Force inquiry for form-fit replacement of its F-16s' analog recorders to solid state video-data. The system is currently being evaluated for use in a range of other aircraft, including F-111s, Harriers, and F-16E/Fs. Vectop recorders and cameras are also integrated into the Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30 and various helicopter upgrades.

By Tamir Eshel