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UPSC Prelims 2026 GS Paper 1, question 44

Topic: Science and technology

Q44

Which of the following statements with regard to Black Boxes used in modern aircrafts is/are correct ?

  1. They carry a beacon emitting red light pulses to facilitate underwater detection.

  2. They record both the cockpit voice and flight data.

  3. Their memory units are made using either stainless steel or titanium.

Select the answer using the code given below :

  1. (a) 1 only
  2. (b) 2 and 3 onlyCorrect answer
  3. (c) 1 and 2 only
  4. (d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution.

Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only

  1. Statement 1 is incorrect: aircraft Black Boxes carry an Underwater Locator Beacon (ULB) that emits ultrasonic acoustic pulses (at 37.5 kHz) when immersed in water, not red light pulses.
  2. Statement 2 is correct: modern flight recorders comprise the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR), capturing both cockpit audio and flight parameters.
  3. Statement 3 is correct: the crash-survivable memory units (CSMUs) are encased in double-walled corrosion-resistant stainless steel or titanium shells with thermal insulation.