Helmet Mounted Display Capability for Portuguese F-16s

, SAN JOSE: Vision Systems International, LLC (VSI) has been awarded a contract to supply its Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) to the Portuguese Air Force for their F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. 
 
JHMCS will complement the mid-life upgrade (MLU) configured jets, providing pilots superior situational awareness and the ability to take full advantage of extreme off-boresight target designation and cueing. Under the terms of the contract, VSI will deliver helmet mounted displays and associated electronics units as well as spares and test equipment to support the Portuguese Air Force F-16 fleet. The deliveries will commence in early 2007. This contract represents the fourth direct commercial sale of JHMCS by VSI to a European F-16 MLU country. 
 
JHMCS provides the pilot with “first look, first shot” high off-boresight weapons engagement capabilities. The system enables the pilot to accurately cue onboard weapons and sensors against enemy aircraft and ground targets without the need to aggressively turn the aircraft or place the target in the Head-Up Display (HUD) for designation. Critical information and symbology, such as targeting cues and aircraft performance parameters, are graphically displayed directly on the pilot's visor.  
 
Formed in 1996, VSI is a joint venture between EFW Inc., an Elbit Systems of America company and a subsidiary of Elbit Systems Ltd., and Rockwell Collins to develop, manufacture and support fixed wing HMDs worldwide. With a heritage of more than 35 years of design and development experience in display systems, VSI today is a leading supplier of fixed-wing Helmet Mounted Displays (HMDs). 
 
In addition to the JHMCS production, VSI is developing the advanced HMD for the F-35 (JSF), QuadEye Night Vision Cueing & Display (NVCD) for the US Navy and US Air Force, and is also producing the Display and Sight Helmet (DASH) Generation IV HMD under multiple contracts to Lockheed Martin and international customers.