EuroFighter Helmet | World Defense

EuroFighter Helmet

UAE

SENIOR MEMBER
Joined
Nov 28, 2014
Messages
1,641
Reactions
929 11 0
Country
USA
Location
United Arab Emirates
The Typhoon’s latest weapon isn’t something slung under the wing – but a system with ‘brains’ that sits on the pilot’s head.

Eurofighter helmet .png


HOW IT WORKS

Using the new helmet system, the pilot can now look at multiple targets, lock-on to them, and then, by voice-command, prioritise them.


Illustration showing how the Typhoon helmet works


  1. Radar in the nose of the Typhoon detects enemy aircraft hidden from his view in the airspace below.
  2. As the pilot looks down the position of the enemy aircraft is projected onto his visor. He can then lock-on to the aircraft by voice-command so it is tracked by the aircraft's weapons systems.
  3. The pilot can also lock-on to enemy aircraft number 2 closing rapidly in over his right shoulder.
  4. He can then prioritise his targets by voice command before engaging his weapons.

It’s a lightning-fast system to let the pilot look, lock-on, and fire. Wherever the pilots head turns, his sensors and weapons face the same direction.

Imagery projected onto the pilot’s visor gives, amongst other information, speed, heading and height – and crucially, it also gives the precise position of any enemy aircraft or missiles. The imagery, which remains stable and accurate at all viewing angles, means the pilot can make rapid decisions without ever having to take their eyes off the target.


quote-open.png
IT IS A MAJOR ADVANCE IN AVIATION CAPABILITY
quote-close.png

Mark Bowman, BAE Systems Chief Test Pilot




WHY IS IT SO SPECIAL?




Mark Bowman in Typhoon helmet


Conventional systems mean pilots have to point the aircraft in the direction they want to fire to get the enemy in a field of view before they engage their weapons. The super helmet system allows the pilot to let his helmet do the pointing without having to waste vital time manoeuvring the aircraft - giving a big advantage in combat.


SENSORS WORKING OVERTIME

The bumps (infra-red LED’s) are used to calculate the pilot’s head position and its angle.

The LEDs on the helmet flash and the 3 sensors in the cockpit detect the flashing. The data is then used to calculate where the pilot is looking. As the pilot turns his head, the system continually re-configures to use the best sensor and LED combination to give the most accurate result. Accurate targeting is immediate; there’s no delay





Typhoon helmet top and side view


MADE TO MEASURE

The beam of light that shines out of the display needs to line up with the pilots pupil.

The helmet is lightweight with total head support mass 1.9kg and is custom fitted for comfort and balance. The helmet is made to measure for each pilot because it has to fit perfectly to ensure the weight is distributed evenly. The pilot's head is scanned with a laser for size and shape and a 3D model of the is then developed along. Other measurements taken include the distance between the eyes. The inner lining is manufactured to the exact shape of the pilot's head and is finished in Italian leather.


EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY

The pilot has a binocular display.

The view is 40 degrees fully overlapped which means that both eyes get the same picture. This makes it more relaxing for the pilot over long periods of time as monocular display can cause fatigue.


WHAT THE PILOT THINKS

Mark Bowman, our Chief Test Pilot adds

“This is a major advance in terms of combat capability and is something that gives Typhoon pilots a significant advantage when it comes to air combat. There is no doubt in my mind that the Eurofighter Typhoon leads the world in terms of this kind of capability – and this is something that all who have worked on the system can feel extremely proud of. It is a major advance in aviation capability.”

http://www.baesystems.com/enhancedarticle/BAES_157468?_adf.ctrl-state=a0ji0c54u_85&_afrLoop=983572737215000&_afrWindowMode=0&_afrWindowId=a0ji0c54u_82#!
 

Scorpion

THINK TANK: SENIOR
Joined
Nov 27, 2014
Messages
3,868
Reactions
3,197 56 0
Country
Saudi Arabia
Location
Saudi Arabia
The most advanced up to date helmet so far. Saudi Arabia has them.';';'

It’s a lightning-fast system to let the pilot look, lock-on, and fire. Wherever the pilots head turns, his sensors and weapons face the same direction.

bae+Systems+2.jpg


star-wars-helmet-3.jpg
star-wars-helmet-1.jpg


star-wars-helmet-2.jpg

The helmet has around 40 LED sensors that interact with other sensors in the cockpit.




star-wars-helmet-4.jpg




Typhoon helmet.jpg
 

003

MEMBER
Joined
Jan 4, 2015
Messages
205
Reactions
11 0 0
Country
Philippines
Location
Philippines
This is great, but sure it definitely comes with a price that only countries in Europe, rich countries would be able to afford it. I don't think that it's necessary for other countries to have it especially if at all they don't have money for such equipment. Nevertheless, it's really a great advancement and something worth to have.
 

globulon

MEMBER
Joined
Jan 3, 2015
Messages
142
Reactions
18 0 0
Country
Canada
Location
Canada
This is awesome stuff, thanks for sharing. The level of research and development that goes on in the military industry is always stunning. While I hope it delivers as promised on the field, I hope that one day the spin-off tech from this invention will reach the public!
 

rares209

MEMBER
Joined
Jan 11, 2015
Messages
72
Reactions
6 0 0
Country
Romania
Location
Romania
Wow, a proper helmet for such an advanced fighter jet. The ability of locking a targer just by looking at it throught the visor is just amazing. Now, I am wondering how clever the F-35 helmed would be.
 

kestas57

MEMBER
Joined
Jan 26, 2015
Messages
60
Reactions
4 0 0
Country
United Kingdom
Location
United Kingdom
An awesome piece of technology and a great piece of kit to have in the arsenal. The Eurofighter is such a technologically advanced plane and the men and women flying it need the technology to match the plane.
 
Top