Denel Optronics of South Africa has been awarded a $27.5 million production order from BAE Systems for optical helmet tracker systems (HTS) for the Eurofighter Typhoon.
Denel, a division of Carl Zeiss Optronics, will manufacture 450 of the high-tech pilot helmet tracking systems over the next four to five years. The production order follows a design and development contract from 2003.
“This large contract from BAE Systems confirms Denel Optronics’ position as a world leader in helmet tracking systems for pilots,” says Shaun Liebenberg, Denel group CEO.
The HTS comprises three cockpit sensors – essentially tiny video cameras – that detect a series of LEDs embedded in the pilot’s helmet.
A computerised head-tracker processor captures data from these sensors and rapidly calculates the angle and position of the pilot’s head. This information is used to position the display of vital symbology on the pilot’s helmet-mounted display.
The helmet-mounted display projects vital flight, instrumentation, navigation and mission data together with weapons and counter-measures status directly on to the pilot’s visor. This means pilots never need to glance down at the physical instruments, a significant safety enhancement for low-level, high-speed operations both during the day and at night.
The head tracker also drives external sensors and missile seekers, keeping them aligned with the pilot’s line of sight. As a result, in combat situations that have become visual engagements, the pilots can always keep their eyes on the target. This dates back to the very first instances of aerial combat – lose sight, lose the fight.
Source: Flight Daily News
