

Standardize Missile-Test Telemetry with Modular Systems
Published in Microwaves & RF
An essential, but costly, element of any missile program is the telemetry package (telepack) used to acquire flight and performance data for flight test programs. During flight tests, the telemeter typically takes the place of the missile’s warhead. However, in cases where space warrants, smaller telemeters can co-reside in the missile shroud along with the explosives.
Telemeters are used in a wide variety of critical modern missile, pod, and bomb applications, including development testing, weapon simulation, pilot training, and lot sampling. A complete telemeter subsystem will integrate a mix of data-acquisition units (DAUs) to capture and format data; electronics to provide time, space, and position information; batteries; and other components that provide encryption, RF transmission, recording, flight termination, and tracking capabilities, as required (Fig. 1).

1. Shown is a cross-section view of a proposed fully integrated modular telemetry system in missile shroud. It’s completely designed with Curtiss-Wright components, including off-the-shelf data-acquisition modules.
Today’s telemeters are custom systems, specifically built by a prime contractor and often using components sourced by multiple vendors for each individual missile platform and test regimen. The different components must be integrated together, adding design and schedule risk.
The custom approach also adds unnecessary costs and program risk, which, by decreasing the affordability of missile programs, can become a hurdle to increased acquisition and deployment. Simply put, the lower the telemeter cost, the more missiles the government can buy. The more expensive the telemeter, the fewer missiles they will buy.
Going Modular to Cut Costs
A better, more cost-effective alternative to today’s custom telemeter designs is to leverage modular architectures based on commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware to integrate a complete telepack system. An open-architecture approach using proven, pre-qualified data-acquisition modules will not only lower program costs but will also ease and speed the deployment of telemeters for test programs. Even better, because the standard modules are employed by a wide customer base, it significantly increases telemeter reliability due to broad market feedback and ongoing product improvement.
Missile Applications
Missile applications typically present unique challenges for electronic systems that must meet limited space, low weight, and power requirements while working reliably in very harsh environments. Curtiss-Wright has decades of experience meeting such needs with dozens of missile programs.
Aerospace Instrumentation Brochure
Modern aerospace instrumentation systems can be highly complex, and it can be difficult to know how to meet program needs. It’s not unusual for requirements to change during a campaign and cause significant delays, and data must be captured reliably no matter what – otherwise expensive additional flights will be needed or months of program data could be lost. Read our brochure to learn how you can reduce your risk with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions.
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Our comprehensive portfolio of standalone and total system solutions has been field-proven in a wide variety of applications for decades. Working with us means you get an expert partner that acts as an extension of your system architect and design team to deliver a future-proof total solution with less risk of losing data and suffering schedule delays and financial implications.
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