GKN Aerospace Delivers 500 Underwater Locator Device Modifications in One Year

• ULD increasingly mandated by controlling authorities
• 8.8 kHz acoustic signal for a minimum of 90 days, detection range 13-22 km maximum operational depth 20.000 ft

GKN Fokker Services has delivered its 500th Underwater Locator Device (ULD) modification package. The ULD modifications have been supplied to twenty-five customers in twenty countries. The modification package has been developed for a wide range of aircraft including the Airbus A320 Family, A330 & A340, Boeing 737 through 787, Bombardier Q400, Embraer E-Jets and the Fokker 70 and Fokker 100. The GKN Fokker Services’ solution offers a complete package including the engineering bulletin, aircraft documentation, the ULD hardware, installation kit and a tester.

Controlling the location of aircraft flying a long-range over oceanic areas has become increasingly important to air traffic control authorities. This has led to new requirements, including the introduction of a stand-alone, long-range ULD. Multiple countries mandate fitting the ULD on aircraft for long-range over-water flights.

The ULD will transmit an 8.8 kHz acoustic signal (pinger) for a minimum of 90 days. Its low frequency ensures an increased detection range of 13-22 km (7-12 NM) over the standard ULBs as installed on Flight Data Recorders and Cockpit Voice Recorders. The ULD is installed on the airframe. The maximum operational depth is 6,100 m (20,000 ft) when activated upon immersion in both salt and fresh water. The battery is a single-cell type with a six-year life.
The whole package can be delivered at short notice and is easy to install.

Erik Lous, Product Manager ULD at GKN Fokker Services said: “We are happy to reach this milestone of delivering 500 ULD modification kits, only one year after supplying the first unit in October 2017.