BAE Systems, ROCHESTER, U.K.: Flight trials of the BAE Systems Striker helmet-mounted display system have begun on the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. The full development trial sorties marked the first flights of a binocular, visor-projected, night-vision-capable helmet on a fighter aircraft.
Additional trials are planned throughout 2005, and production-ready versions of the helmet will fly in the latter part of 2005 — clearing the way for production for Typhoon Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 aircraft.
“The successful start of flight trials marks a significant success in the Typhoon helmet program and is a milestone in the development of display helmet technology,” said Mike Austill, managing director of Avionic Systems for BAE Systems.
The Typhoon helmet-mounted display is a high-resolution, binocular system driven by powerful processor and graphics modules. Its helmet tracker is a high-speed, high-accuracy, low-latency optical system. The helmet displays “virtual head-up display” symbology and video imagery from the aircraft sensors and from a helmet-mounted, image-intensified night vision system.
The helmet's fully integrated design ensures the compatibility of head protection, life support, and electro-optics, and also incorporates the fully integrated respirator for protection in nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare environments.
Prior to the start of flight trials, the helmet design passed a series of stringent tests, including impact and penetration to U.K. and European standards, 600-plus-knot windblast, and 600-plus-knot ejection. In addition, high “g” comfort and stability testing has been carried out on BAE Systems helmets supplied for the Hawk trainer aircraft.
BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery, and support of advanced defense and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea and in space. BAE Systems North America is one of America's foremost national security, aerospace and information systems companies.
