Lufthansa Technik and HENSOLDT have unveiled a new generation of cockpit voice and flight data recorders for the Airbus A320 family, featuring enhanced data capacity, improved reliability, and simplified maintenance.
The new recorders exceed upcoming international regulatory standards that require extended recording durations. In the United States, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 mandates that both cockpit voice (CVR) and flight data recorders (FDR) store at least 25 hours of information, replacing the previous two-hour requirement. Aircraft operating with older recording systems must comply with this standard by 2030.
HENSOLDT’s new SferiRec series, distributed exclusively by Lufthansa Technik, surpasses these requirements. The new CVR can store up to 45 hours of cockpit audio and 170 hours of datalink communications, while the FDR can record up to 1,600 hours of flight parameters. Building on nearly four decades of experience in the field, HENSOLDT designed the recorders with a focus on long-term durability and operational efficiency. A key feature of the system is its “On-wing Readout Kit”, allowing operators to extract data directly from the aircraft without removing the recorders. The software-based solution runs on a standard laptop, reducing downtime and minimizing maintenance costs. The new recorders also offer longer mean time between failures (MTBF), reducing the frequency of unscheduled removals and associated service interruptions. Lufthansa Technik, certified under EASA Part 21J, developed a plug-and-play retrofit solution enabling seamless integration of the new recorders across the A320 family. The company is also pursuing certification for additional Airbus and Boeing models. Lufthansa Technik’s global support network will provide around-the-clock technical assistance for the installation and operation of the systems.ü