F-16 Fighting Falcon News

September 1, 2003 (by Stefaan Vanhastel) - The US Department of Defense awarded Boeing a $24 million contract to produce 100 Joint Helmet- Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS) by July 2005. The order includes 66 systems for the US Air Force's F-16 fleet.
The JHMCS consists of electronics installed in the aircraft and a new helmet that interfaces with them. The JHMCS displays flight information on the helmet visors and allows for the aiming or deploying of sensors and air-to-air or air-to-ground weapons.

Boeing will deliver 12 JHMCS systems to the US Air Force for the F-15 and 66 systems for the F-16. The US Navy will receive 22 systems for deployment on the F/A-18E/F. One JHMCS system will be delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force, together with engineering support.

Boeing will act as the prime contractor and integrator for JHMCS. Vision System International, based in San Jose, California, will act as the major subcontractor.