Test Specification for the Alternate Repair Verification Process of the Finnish Air Force Digital Memory Unit Writer

Abstract : The Digital Memory Unit Writer (DMU) is a ruggedized optical drive assembly built by Honeywell. The DMU writer is used specifically to write specially formatted map data to militarized Aircraft Optical Disks (AOD) for use in the AN/ASQ-l96 Digital Map System (consisting of both a Digital Map Computer and a DMU reader) of both U.S. and ally AV-8B Harrier and F/A-18 Hornet aircraft. The AN/ASQ-196 and its support equipment (including the DMU writers) have been in use by the fleet for well over 13 years. Obsolescence problems exist with the AN/ASQ-l96 and its support equipment. In particular, DMU writers have proven to be much less rugged, reliable, and more sensitive to power fluctuations than DMU readers, particularly in recent years when obsolescence issues have become more prevalent. In addition, only a handful of DMU writers exist (less than 15 overall) compared to several hundred DMU readers.