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 More details available at www.cwc-ae.com.

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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