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Old 16th Jul 2010, 20:46
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Mike7777777
 
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Concorde had this massive problem; in terms of avionics she was streets ahead of anything else flying ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD at the time. She had the worlds very first digital control system (Decision to change design of this system from analog to digital taken in OCT 1970; not actually flying in the British Pre-Production A/C until 1973). When parts for this system (The AICS) started to become obsolescent in the 1990's, replacement IC's had to be specially designed, manufactured and certificated. (The re-designed component boards worked like charm and were infinitely more reliable than their predecessors). I guess in a way Concorde was like a flying electronics museum; from the days of analog all the way to the digital age. (Also the finest aircraft ever built)
Developing replacement control systems 2010- 20?? is probably achievable, interfacing with existing and achieving certification within the near future cannot possibly be a realistic objective ....? Too many variables, known and unknown.
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