"Helmet system replaces heads-up display on F-35s"

Geostrategy-Direct
Week of May 2, 2007
MILITARY TECHNOLOGY

Helmet system replaces heads-up display on F-35s

WASHINGTON - A helmet system has become mandatory on flights of the
new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

The Helmet Mounted Display System was used in a recent F-35 flight by
a pilot from Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor of JSF.

HMDS is manufactured by Vision Systems International, formed in 1996
as a joint venture of Elbit Systems and Rockwell Collins. Variants of
the system, capable of extreme off-axis targeting and cueing, have
been employed on a range of U.S. fighter-jets.

"The HMDS provides critical flight information to the pilot throughout
the entire mission," Elbit Systems said on April 12.

The F-35 was the first tactical fighter-jet to fly without a heads-up
display system since 1957. The HMDS, which took five years to develop
and undergo safety tests, is designed to provide F-35 pilots with
constant imagery and situational awareness.

"Since the F-35 has no HUD, providing virtual HUD capability has
become a mandatory requirement, entailing precise head tracking and
display operation near zero latency," VSI President Drew Brugal said.

Elbit Systems is the prime supplier of HMDS, particularly the display
management computer. Rockwell Collins contributed the helmet-mounted
display and Britain's Helmet Integrated Systems the helmet shell and
pilot personal fitting system.

HMDS enables in-flight seat ejections of up to 450 knots equivalent
air speed, or KEAS. Executives said the system was preparing for full
flight certification.