Forum: F-35 Lightning II

21:05 GMT, March 22, 2010 SAN JOSE, Calif. | Vision Systems International, LLC (VSI), a leader in advanced Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) technology, announced the successful first flight of the F-35 Gen II Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS) on the F-35B Lightning II Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing (STOVL) jet.

VSI is currently performing under a Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) contract to Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. for the delivery of the F-35 Gen II helmet displays and aircraft ship-sets in support of the F-35 Lightning II HMDS program. VSI has also received contracts for production tooling and initial funding for the Pilot Fit Facility Standup at Eglin Air Force Base for the HMDS program.

"The most advanced helmet mounted display system in the world flew a very successful flight on the F-35," said VSI President Drew Brugal. "The Gen II system is the culmination of extensive VSI R&D. It provides the F-35 aviator unmatched situational awareness presenting symbology and pilot selectable augmented reality in a wide field-of-view display format. The "virtual" Head-Up Display (HUD) presented by the HMD replaces traditional HUD systems and gives the pilot precise, stable symbology in the forward cone and a seamless transition to mission critical symbology in the remaining field-of-regard."

The F-35 Gen II HMDS displays biocular video and symbology information on the helmet visor, providing pilots with all information necessary to execute both day and night missions under a single integrated configuration. The system enables pilots to accurately cue onboard weapons and sensors using the helmet display.

The HMD also allows the aircraft systems to alert pilots of potential threats and hazards, significantly improving situational awareness. Advanced night imagery is provided by the helmet mounted night camera and aircraft Distributed Aperture System (DAS). The F-35 Gen II HMDS's accuracy and very low latency enables the F-35 to be the first front line tactical aircraft in decades to eliminate the traditional HUD. The HMDS is the "virtual" HUD of the aircraft.

http://www.defpro.com/news/details/13949/

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That's a welcome bit of good news for the F-35 program.

Is that the one with the $500,000 hat?

http://www.f-16.net/f-16_forum_viewtopic-t-13667.html

Wouldn't want to drop that puppy onto the tarmac...

JL

In case y'all were wonderin' what the thing looks like:

Photo from www.vsi-hmcs.com/f35.htm

Amazing tech

LinkF16SimDude wrote:

In case y'all were wonderin' what the thing looks like:

Photo from www.vsi-hmcs.com/f35.htm

Maybe it's just the angle, but that thing as it looks there is ugly as home made sin Wink

Beazz

Well it's a better lookin' version than this contraption:

But will it be as menacing lookin' as this?:

Who knows? Wink

Something only a mother could love (the green eyed monster). Twisted Evil

"O! beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock The meat it feeds on. "
-William Shakespeare.

Sorry just had to throw that in. The HMD looks futuristic and cool to me. I don't know about you guys. Very Happy

LinkF16SimDude wrote:

Well it's a better lookin' version than this contraption:

But will it be as menacing lookin' as this?:

Who knows? Wink

I actually like this version.. more sinister looking.. like something HellBoy would use. Twisted Evil

Umm...doncha think that glueing a couple of steer horns onto those cylindrical protusions would add to the aura of menace? Those Viking berserkers of yore were definitely badazz!

popcorn wrote:

LinkF16SimDude wrote:

Well it's a better lookin' version than this contraption:

But will it be as menacing lookin' as this?:

Who knows? Wink

I actually like this version.. more sinister looking.. like something HellBoy would use. Twisted Evil

Me to Popcorn. The green eyed alien looking dude is the ticket fur sure Wink

Beazz

State of the art man-machine interface.

Other than scratching the crap out the canopy transparency during BFM, that contraption will probably be NMC more than the jet!

I see numerous battles between Pointys and life support on who is responsible to fix an issue with that system! Hell, we may even have to create a helmet shop!

My CC Two Cents

Yeah, but "If they build it, we must come" ~ Official USAF procurement doctrine.

Functionality and cost-effectiveness don't enter into it.

Forum: F-35 Lightning II

F-35 Lightning Gen II HMD System achieves first flight