I don't agree at all. It's not the cost of the technology, it's the cost of the process of changing it. Once something like the "black box" is in use, it seldom changes unless there is a compelling need. To change it, you have to have meetings, studies, vendor contracts, more studies, more meetings, notices, hearings, training on replacement, etc.

It's the same reason why the on-board Space Shuttle computers are a couple hundred times less powerful than the processors in an iPod: they work, and there's no compelling reason to change them.