F-16 Fighting Falcon News

August 22, 2000 (by Lieven Dewitte) - The Boeing Company has received a $10. 4 million contract to begin low-rate initial production for the U.S. Navy of its Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS).
The Navy will receive 37 of the systems by 2002 for use on its Boeing-built F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft. The U.S. Air Force is also expected to have follow-on production contracts of JHMCS, which will be used on its F-15, F-16 and F-22 aircraft.

The lightweight JHMCS combines a magnetic head tracker with a display projected onto the pilot's visor, allowing the pilot to aim sensors and weapons wherever he or she is looking. The pilot will be able to aim radar, air-to-air missiles, infrared sensors, and air-to-ground weapons by looking at the target and pressing a switch.

Additionally, the pilot will be able to view data such as airspeed and altitude without having to look at displays in the cockpit.

Boeing is the system's primary integrator. Vision Systems International manufactures the helmet system.