High-definition video recorders chosen for ISR aircraft

Ampex Data Systems Corp. will provide the high-definition video data recorder systems that will be used in Project Liberty reconnaissance aircraft.

The Redwood City, Calif., company won a contract from L-3 Integrated Systems to supply its miniR 700 video recorders for the aircraft, company officials said April 13. The contract value was not disclosed.

The architecture of the miniR 700 solid-state recorder system enables it to collect and replay full-motion video captured by L-3’s Wescam MX-15 True HD Sensor, the officials said.

The Air Force established the Project Liberty program recently as a way to boost intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance information to support ground forces and improve weapon-targeting capabilities, according to media accounts. The plan calls for modifying several dozen commercial Hawker Beechcraft C-12 aircraft by adding sophisticated sensor equipment and changing the their designation to MC-12W.