Crash Detection Unit

The client required a crash detection unit (CDU) that could meet FAA and EASA certification standards for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The challenge centered on creating a standalone unit that could reliably detect survivable emergency landings and safely isolate power systems in real-time. ALTEN engineered a CDU incorporating acceleration and shock sensors, communication gateways, and redundant channels for system reliability. The team developed both hardware and software for crash detection, achieving certification under DO-254 and DO-178C Level A standards. The unit included onboard indicators and hold-up power to notify flight and ground crews of activation. This solution met stringent aviation safety standards and was fully validated and verified. It provided essential crash detection functionality for next-generation eVTOL systems, demonstrating ALTEN’s ability to deliver certifiable avionics for complex aerospace applications.