The developmental pilot helmet for the highly advanced F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is currently being evaluated by Defense scientists at Boscombe Down in Wiltshire. Unlike modern fast jet aircraft the Joint Strike Fighter, which is planned to replace the famous Harrier, does not have a ‘traditional’ head-up display – instead the computerized symbology is displayed directly onto the pilot’s visors.
This Helmet Mounted Display System provides the pilot with cues for flying, navigating and fighting the aircraft. It will even superimpose infra-red imagery onto the visor which allows the pilot to ‘look through’ the cockpit floor at night and see the world below.
This state of the art helmet HUD is being developed by Vision Systems International (VSI) for future application in the joint strike fighter. The helmet’s capabilities are:
* Binocular Wide Field-of-View
* Integrated day/night capability with sensor fusion
* Highly accurate head tracking hardware and software
* Digital image source for helmet vision displayed symbology
* Custom helmet shell, liner and suspension system for lightest weight, optimal C.G. and maximum pilot comfort. Vision Systems International, LLC (VSI) is the worlds leading supplier of Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems for fixed-wing, tactical fighter aircraft. VSI is a joint venture company between EFW, Inc. of Ft. Worth, Texas and Rockwell Collins.
Located in California’s Silicon Valley, VSI brings together state-of-the-art technologies from the fields of precision optics and electronics to develop and deliver products and systems which greatly enhance the fighter pilots’ situational awareness and mission effectiveness. These products provide today’s modern war fighter with an unsurpassed “First look, first shot” weapons engagement capability thereby ensuring the highest levels of lethality and survivability.
{Luke – you’ve turned off your targeting computer}
