Lufthansa Technik (LHT) and HENSOLDT have unveiled a new generation of onboard recorders for the Airbus A320 family, offering major advances in data storage, reliability, and maintenance efficiency. These next-generation cockpit voice and flight data recorders (CVR/FDR) exceed the latest international standards while providing airlines with a practical retrofit option to meet forthcoming regulatory changes.
Under new U.S. rules introduced through the FAA Reauthorisation Act 2024, commercial aircraft must now retain cockpit voice and flight data recordings for at least 25 hours, a significant increase from the previous two-hour limit. Existing aircraft must be upgraded to comply by 2030, and similar legislation is expected elsewhere. The HENSOLDT-Lufthansa Technik solution anticipates these developments, ensuring operators remain ahead of global safety mandates.
The new SferiRec recorders store far more data than required. The cockpit voice recorder can capture up to 45 hours of crew conversations and 170 hours of datalink communications, while the flight data recorder holds up to 1,600 hours of flight parameters. Drawing on nearly four decades of HENSOLDT’s expertise, particularly in military systems, the devices deliver exceptional durability and performance.
A key innovation lies in the ability to access stored data directly from the aircraft. Using the on-wing Readout Kit—a software tool that runs on a standard laptop—technicians can download information without removing the units. This feature simplifies maintenance, cuts costs, and reduces dependency on limited replacement stocks. Thanks to an improved mean time between failures, unscheduled removals and OEM service interventions become much rarer.
Lufthansa Technik, through its EASA Part 21J-certified design organisation, has developed retrofit kits enabling seamless “plug-and-play” integration into existing A320 systems. Certification for further Airbus and Boeing types is already under way. Supported by Lufthansa Technik’s global network, airlines gain around-the-clock technical assistance, ensuring smooth adoption of the new recorders and enhanced operational resilience for years to come.
