New York-based InFlight Labs is testing a series of what it calls tamper-proof smart avionics that will alert authorities to attempts to power down critical airborne systems for any reason.

The systems—Smart Acars, Smart ADS-B, Smart FDR, Smart ELT and Smart transponder—provide continual aircraft tracking of aircraft almost anywhere around the world. The self-powered transponder, for example, monitors the power system of the existing transponder, watching for signs of tampering. Should the standard transponder power down because it is turned off, tampered with or experiences a true power failure, the Smart transponder will automatically squawk 7700. The system will send a detailed burst message to authorities within moments of a similar incident. Smart transponder can also be activated by ATC when it receives a Mayday or similar message, as well as when an aircraft stops communicating entirely.