Leaving the pilot’s hands free to do the work

This post is also available in: עברית (Hebrew)

Information arriving from the helicopter’s various systems appears in the pilot’s helmet in visual form and improves his abilities

Israeli technology for support systems for pilots will now be used by US Navy Helicopter pilots. Specifically, they too will be using a visual presentation system inside their helmets, which the pilot can control by merely moving his head, leaving his hands free for ‘doing’ things.

Elbit Systems US, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Elbit Systems Israel, had signed a contract with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) to install, integrate and support flight evaluations of the Elbit Color Helmet Display and Tracking System (CHDTS), this on MH-60S Seahawk test aircraft for the U.S. Navy. The contract value was not disclosed. It’s implementation will be done over a year of operations.

The program constitutes part of the U.S. Navy’s MH-60 Sierra’s Improved Targeting System for the Seahawks’ Armed Helicopter Weapon Kits.  The CHDTS will provide the pilots with both night and day capability for recieving visual information, in the form of flight instrument symbols, on their helmet mounted display (HMD) modules.

In addition, the line of sight tracking system enables the pilots to interact with the flight navigation system, improving pilot and copilot situational awareness. The system can also be adapted to control pilot or copilot additional sensor systems.

The CHDTS also displays a constantly calculated weapon impact symbol, thus assisting the pilot with accuracy in the employment of all installed weapon systems.