BAE Systems Reveals Helmet-Mounted Sight Tech Demo

BAE Systems has lifted the veil on a new-generation, helmet-mounted sight demonstrator featuring technologies that could potentially support crews flying future combat aircraft.

The company’s Project Intuity demonstrator, to debut at the Farnborough Airshow July 20-July 24, combines emerging and proven technologies in what BAE called a “flexible system architecture that can evolve alongside future mission needs.”

The development emerges as more combat aircraft adopt helmet-mounted sights over heads-up displays.

Among the improvements over current-generation helmet-mounted displays are new high-resolution displays that boost the amount of information that can be displayed in the pilot’s natural field of view.

This allows the display of critical safety, sensor and targeting information where pilots need it, the company says.

A demonstrator to be displayed at Farnborough features protection measures, head tracking and 3D audio cueing technologies.

Engineers have used computer modeling, improved microelectronics and new materials to make the helmet lighter than current systems. BAE also plans to use it to explore and mature additional capabilities, including display optics and eye tracking.

“As allies move toward aircraft that act as combat command centers, future operations will demand that pilots process more information from more sources than ever before,” said Andrew Macklin-Smith, product line director for helmet-mounted displays at BAE Systems’ Electronic Systems business. Macklin-Smith also says the helmet will help pilots command fleets of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and will filter and present the most important information clearly.

Development of the helmet follows up BAE’s development of its Striker family of helmets that equip the Eurofighter. The newest version of that product— Striker II—will soon be integrated onto Typhoon and brings with it a daylight readable color display and integrated night vision.