Systems and methods for autonomous distress tracking (ADT) of aerial vehicles are provided. An autonomous distress tracking (ADT) system for an aerial vehicle is provided that includes one or more ADT devices. Each device includes at least one transmitter configured to transmit messages over one or more predetermined frequency bands. And ADT control system is configured to control a transmission rate of the one or more ADT devices based on flight plan data associated with an on-going flight of the aerial vehicle and performance data associated with the aerial vehicle during the on-going flight. The ADT control system can compare the flight plan data with the performance data to determine one or more deviations associated with the flight plan data and control a transmission rate of the one or more ADT devices based on the deviations.

A system and method for providing arrays of distributed recording devices supporting black box data retention on transports are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: a main black box data retention device on a transport for recording transport data including operational and status data of the transport while in operation, the main black box data retention device including a wireless data transmission device; and an array of distributed wireless recording devices on the transport and in wireless data communication with the main black box data retention device, each distributed wireless recording device of the array including: a power supply; a wireless data receiver; a non-volatile memory device; and a control unit to receive the transport data from the main black box data retention device via the wireless data receiver and to store the transport data into the non-volatile memory device.

A system and computer-implemented method include a wireless network hub configured to forward received sensor readings to a sensor analysis system. One or more sensor units coupled to the wireless network hub and affixed to a structure are configured to wirelessly transmit data to the wireless network hub at a first time frequency, and, in response to a detected danger to the structure, wirelessly transmit sensor readings to the wireless network hub at a second time frequency greater than the first time frequency.

A wireless dual flight data recorder apparatus and wireless network method using satellite communications for providing remote data redundancy, location accuracy, and real-time access to live flight data contained in the black box of an aircraft. An integrated GPS receiver uses the NAVSTAR GPS Precise Position Service allowing emergency responders immediate access to exact location of the device. A data collection algorithm streams flight data to a remote data center, performs data compaction for decreasing bandwidth, and data encryption for security prior to transmission to a remote data center. An ejection sensor system signals a second unit to eject milliseconds before impact reducing shock to the recorder. A flotation system allows the device to float on water, a solar panel extends the life of the batteries, and VoIP video camera recorder allows remote surveillance. The invention protects critical flight data and passengers ensuring expeditious rescue missions for survivors and investigators.

An autonomous distress tracking system for an aircraft is described. The system can include a transponder configured to transmit radio frequency (RF) emissions and an RF detector unit configured to detect the RF emissions. The system can further include an alert system that is in communication with the RF detector unit and be configured to activate a distress radio beacon if no RF emissions are detected within a predetermined period of time.

An improved D.C. power supply for an emergency locator transmitter ELT mounted on an aircraft that does not require lithium batteries but instead uses conventional alkaline batteries in conjunction with a supercapacitor network to provide a reliable power source even when the ELT that is airborne is subjected to extreme cold temperatures that can affect the alkaline battery operation. Alkaline battery pack with a 12 V output is connected to a supercapacitor network board. The supercapacitors are charged when the ELT is activated ON using the comparator network.

A method includes obtaining operational data recorded by a data recorder onboard an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), determining timing of a maintenance operation for the UAV based on the operational data, and providing a reminder of the maintenance operation for the UAV based on the determined timing.

Various aircraft systems may benefit from enhancements that increase the reliability of the systems. For example, certain avionics systems may benefit from a distributed aircraft recorder system. A system can include an aircraft recorder on an aircraft. The system can also include a plurality of memory units on the aircraft and remotely located from the aircraft recorder. The memory units may be configured to receive streaming audio and flight data from the aircraft recorder.

A data recovery device configured to store data onboard a hypersonic vehicle travelling at hypersonic speeds. The data recovery device is released from the hypersonic vehicle upon a release command or an anomalous event. Upon release, the data recovery device is configured to receive Global Positioning System (GPS) position data and configured to broadcast the GPS position data in short bursts during decent to a surface of the Earth and upon impact with the surface of the Earth to aid in recovery of the data recovery device.

A method and an apparatus for deploying flight data from an aircraft. A bag is stored in a deflated state on the aircraft. The flight data is stored on a memory device coupled to the bag. The bag is inflated from the deflated state to the inflated state in response to a pressure level greater than a threshold pressure level to deploy the bag with the memory device coupled thereto from the aircraft.