BAE Systems tests HMD night vision capability
Above: Peter Kosogorin wearing the Striker II helmet prior to the recent night trials.
Successful trials will lead the way to a fully integrated digital night vision helmet replacing the need for traditional analogue night vision goggles.
Developed and tested by BAE Systems, Striker II is a fully digital solution that provides today’s combat pilot with exceptional night vision and target tracking technology. BAE Systems have begun evaluating the digital night vision capability through a series of night flight trials from its Military Air & Information business in Warton, Lancashire.
“Striker II has a high-definition, lightweight night vision camera which translates information and displays it on the helmet’s visor. This removes the need for heavy night vision goggles which increase g-force pressures on the head and neck, limiting the pilot’s manoeuvrability in the cockpit,” said Peter Kosogorin, test pilot at BAE Systems' Warton site. “The helmet provides a clear and accurate visual display and a seamless transition from day to night, eliminating the need to manually configure and adjust night vision goggles.”
BAE Systems will continue to evaluate the helmet’s integration with Typhoon aircraft in another series of flight trials later this year.
“The second set of trials is the next step in the flight test programme to prove Striker II offers true ‘plug and play’ compatibility with the Typhoon and builds upon the initial trials to further evaluate the digital night vision capability,” said Chris Colston, Business Development Director, BAE Systems.
Striker II also includes a cutting-edge tracking system that ensures the pilot’s exact head position and the aircraft computer system are continuously in sync, reducing problems common to other HMD’s. The tracking system in Striker II eliminates any delay in determining where the pilot is looking and can therefore perfectly position symbology onto the visor. The results are high-precision target tracking and engagement as well as superior situational awareness and mission effectiveness.
BAE Systems provides avionics systems and advanced cockpit technologies for both military and commercial aviation platforms. Its display systems offer fast-jet pilots a real-world view of terrain, allowing them to see and avoid all obstacles in their flight path, even when visibility outside the aircraft is limited.
