BAE Systems unveiled a new smart helmet for fighter pilots that integrates night vision camera and HD display to replace the exterior night vision goggles.
Fighter pilots are welcoming a new smart lightweight helmet. BAE Systems unveiled the Striker II Helmet-Mounted Display to offer improved night vision for combat pilots as well as target tracking technology on the visor that acts as a high-definition display.
This will do away with the need for night vision goggles, which add extra weight to the pilot helmets causing neck strain and also prevent head movements while flying in the dark. They weigh as much as 0.5 kg and get heavier by nine times when the jet accelerates at 9G, according to BBC.
The Striker II is built on the same platform as its predecessor, Striker HMD, which is used by pilots on Eurofighter Typhoon and Gripen fleets, the company said in a press release.
The Striker II features a night vision camera in the center of the helmet, just above the eyes, which projects the images on the visor. The integrated camera is supplied by Intevac Photonics and projects images on the visor in 1280x1060 pixel resolution, according to Telegraph. The display will show useful information such as targets and co-ordinates of the objects in the pilot's field of vision. Pilots can also do away with manual configuration on night vision goggles during day-to-night transitions. BAE Systems also note that the Striker II is always in sync with the camera, which reduces any latency when the pilot moves his head.
"As the industry transitions from analogue to digital display solutions, Striker II brings a superior, fully digital capability to multiple platform types," Joseph Senftle, vice president and general manager for Communications and Controls Solutions at BAE Systems, said in a press release, Wednesday. "Designed to address evolving mission requirements with advanced digital night vision technology, our new HMD was built to be 'future proof' and seamlessly adaptable to technology advancements in the years ahead."
BAE's chief test pilot, Mark Bowman, had all good things to say about the new Striker II HMD.
