November 20, 2025

Industrial Flash Storage in Aerospace & Defense Applications

In the aerospace and defense industries, storage is essential. Mission success relies not only on sensors and processors but also on the ability to reliably store and retrieve critical data during and after extreme conditions. At Delkin Industrial, we create flash storage solutions specifically designed for these demanding environments. This blog explains how industrial-grade flash storage addresses the unique needs of space and defense applications, highlighting our capabilities and experience.

Why Standard Flash Storage Doesn’t Cut It

Many system designers are tempted to choose commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) flash memory because it is familiar and affordable. However, for aerospace or defense uses, COTS storage often lacks in three critical areas: environmental durability, lifecycle consistency, and mission-essential reliability.

In aerospace and defense systems, storage must withstand shock, vibration, altitude changes, wide temperature swings, moisture, salt spray, and long operational lifetimes. At Delkin, our storage is batch-tested to MIL-STD-810 and MIL-STD-883 standards and built with a locked Bill of Materials (BOM) guarantee. Typical COTS parts are designed for milder use cases; they may not ensure component stability, firmware consistency, or extended temperature ranges needed for high-reliability systems.

Additionally, in aerospace or defense projects, qualification costs are high. If a storage module is replaced or modified unexpectedly during the program, it can lead to requalification, redesigns, and schedule delays. Delkin’s locked-BOM approach helps lower that risk.

Key Requirements for Aerospace & Defense Flash Storage

When choosing flash memory for aerospace or defense applications, engineers must consider several key attributes. According to Delkin’s design philosophy and product lineup, these include:

1. Environmental Durability
Storage must endure wide temperature ranges (often −40 °C to +85 °C or higher), as well as high shock and vibration, altitude pressure variations, and exposure to moisture, dust, or salt. At Delkin, our aerospace/defense-grade flash complies with MIL-STD-810 and MIL-STD-883 testing.

2. Locked BOM & Long Lifecycle
Defense and aerospace programs often last 10-15 years or more. Replacing memory device components during the cycle can cause unexpected failures or require recertification. A locked BOM ensures the memory’s critical components won’t change without prior notice and a new part number.

3. Sustained Write/Read Workloads
Many defense systems log sensor streams, telemetry, video, and other high-data-rate content. The flash storage must handle continuous heavy workloads, ensure data integrity, and have long endurance.

4. Power-loss and Data-Protection Features
In mission-critical applications, unexpected power loss, dirty power, brownouts, or voltage spikes should not cause data corruption or failure. Industrial flash from Delkin includes power-loss protection and firmware that ensures data integrity in difficult electrical conditions.

5. Customization and Testability
Each aerospace or defense platform may have unique interfaces, mounting options, mechanical or thermal constraints, or lifetime requirements. Delkin supports environmental test customization, partner testing, and ensures that the storage fits into the system rather than the system needing to adapt to the storage.

Typical Applications in Aerospace & Defense

Flash storage is integrated into various modern aerospace and defense systems. Some key examples include:

  • Flight data recorders (“black boxes”): Traditionally, HDD-based systems were vulnerable to crash damage, vibration, temperature, and shock. Industrial flash storage offers better survivability and is vital for withstanding extreme crash, fire, and immersion conditions for flight data recorders.
  • Unmanned systems / UAVs: These systems record video, radar, telemetry, and navigation data in challenging environments—requiring flash storage that can withstand vibration, extreme temperatures, and extended missions.
  • Avionics, missile systems, and radar platforms: These systems often require embedded flash in modules that can withstand wide temperature ranges, high altitudes, intense vibrations, dust, sand, salt environments, and extended field service. Delkin’s aerospace and defense flash portfolio is specifically designed for these applications.
  • Satellite or space platforms: While Delkin’s publicly available literature broadly focuses on aerospace and defense, the same principles of ruggedness, radiation mitigation (in space applications), long lifecycle, and locked BOM apply to space storage.

Why Delkin Industrial is a Strategic Partner

Here are the key value propositions for aerospace and defense OEMs when choosing Delkin:

  • U.S.-based design, assembly, and testing: Delkin’s California facility manages onshore design, assembly, manufacturing, and testing.
  • Batch testing and traceability: Ensuring every unit meets the required rugged standards and is traceable end-to-end.
  • Locked BOM guarantee: Up to 7 years of a fixed BOM (in some cases), reducing the risk of surprise EOL or component changes.
  • Low-volume/high-mix support: Many aerospace and defense programs are low-volume and highly complex. Delkin supports smaller builds without punitive minimums.
  • Mission-critical reliability: Built for the “sky, the sand, and the supply chain,” emphasizes that ruggedness extends from deployment environments to logistics and delivery.
  • Customization & engineering support: Delkin offers tailored flash storage solutions to satisfy specific system needs and testing requirements.

Best Practices for Selecting Flash Storage in Defense/Aerospace

When specifying industrial flash storage for aerospace or defense, ensure you consider the following:

  • Match temperature, vibration, and shock ratings: Ensure the storage is rated for the maximum expected environmental extremes of your platform.
  • Check the endurance and workload profile: Determine how much data will be written and read, and select a flash technology (e.g., SLC vs MLC vs 3D) suitable for the workload.
  • Ensure lifecycle and revision control: Confirm the vendor provides a locked BOM, clear revision control, and long-term availability.
  • Confirm power-loss and data integrity features: For mission-critical data logging, ensure the storage system includes firmware and hardware features to prevent corruption during power events.
  • Evaluate supply chain and manufacturing origin: Especially in defense or aerospace, supply chain traceability, onshore assembly and support, and component provenance may matter.
  • Plan for qualification and requalification: Any change in storage part number may trigger system requalification. Selecting a supplier with a locked BOM and stable revision control reduces this risk.
  • Consider long-term support: Many aerospace and defense programs last for decades. Ensure the vendor can support the product’s lifespan, spares, and firmware updates as needed.

Summary

In the aerospace and defense sectors, flash storage is no longer just a commodity. The stakes are high, the environments are challenging, and the lifespan is extended. Industrial flash storage, designed specifically for harsh conditions, long-term supply, and system integration, has become vital.

At Delkin Industrial, we recognize this need. We offer MIL-STD-qualified modules, U.S.-based support, locked BOM assurance, and customization services. We collaborate with OEMs and system integrators to provide storage solutions that meet mission-critical requirements.

If your next aerospace or defense project requires dependable storage that won’t be the weak link, let’s discuss it. We’ll assist you in specifying flash storage that meets environmental, reliability, and lifecycle standards, so you can focus on what matters: system performance, dependability, and mission success. Take the first step, contact us today!