Helmet

The Head Equipment Assembly (HEA) comprises the aircrew helmet and all the sub-system elements needed to display a real world overlaid picture on the helmet visor.

Aircraft systems provide target and flight information which the HEA can combine with its in-built night vision enhanced outside world image and project them together on to the helmet display visor, exactly overlaying the aircrew's outside world view by means of a high speed helmet tracking system.

The HEA also fulfils all of the normal functions of an aircrew helmet, such as:

Life support
Oxygen mask - positive pressure breathing for high g manoeuvres
Communications
Microphone - Direct Voice Input (DVI) compatible
Earphones - including high attenuation of external noise
600 knot wind blast protection - tough helmet shell, blast visor, secure fastening
Impact protection
Nuclear Biological Chemical protection - NBC hood can be fitted
Laser - anti-laser visor.

Additional features

Aircrew comfort
Lightweight Advanced helmet suspension system
Comfortable and stable, air-cooled temperature control
Logistics support
Display of target/flight information
High performance symbol/image generation
Binocular fully overlapped wide (40°) field of view
Capture and display of the Night Vision Enhanced (NVE) outside world picture
Twin Night Vision Enhancement (NVE) cameras - wide (40°) field of view.

The HEA provides a 24-hour, all-weather capability to track targets using the visor display, and designate them for attack using the microphone to communicate via the aircraft Direct Voice Input (DVI).

Information is displayed wherever aircrew look as the HEA includes a high-speed optical tracking system to determine which way the helmet is pointing. This allows all displayed information to exactly overlay the real world view aircrew have through their visor.

The Eurofighter Typhoon Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) System is one of the most complex systems in the world, providing flight reference data, and weapon aiming through the pilot's visor. Like the aircraft's Head Up Display (HUD), it also provides the pilot with aircraft information without the need to look inside the cockpit. In the case of the HMD this "head out" advantage is retained wherever the pilot is looking, rather than fixed to the forward view, as with the HUD. For this reason the aircraft's HMD will provide pilots with a step increase in operational effectiveness.

The latest in HMD technology is represented by binocular Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) displays. These are generally wide field of view (up to 40°) and can present both complex symbology and also TV like images to the pilot. Thus, by using Forward Looking Infra Red (FLIR) sensors an enhanced picture of the outside world can be presented to the Eurofighter Typhoon pilot. Combine these with images from night vision aids and head mounted image intensifier sensors and the HMD will ultimately provide the pilot with an ability to fly at night and in all weathers.

The Eurofighter Typhoon Helmet Equipment Assembly represents the state-of-the-art for Helmet Mounted Displays. It incorporates a Head Tracking System (HTS) which effectively informs the aircraft system where the pilot is looking. Modern head tracking systems provide better than 1° of accuracy at all viewing angles. This means that the Eurofighter Typhoon pilot can direct missiles to look in the direction of a target and the missile can then be locked on to that target. The pilot can maintain the target visually and designate the target even at angular extremes such as the elusive "over the shoulder" shot. The HMS therefore truly provides a 'look and shoot' capability.

Eurofighter Typhoon's unique combination of a state-of-the-art HMD and highly agile short range "fire-and-forget" missiles, coupled with unmatched subsonic agility and high instantaneous and sustained turn-rate, give the pilot unrivalled close-in-combat superiority.

The outstanding achievement of HEA is to bring together an array of advanced technologies and systems in a single integrated operational helmet. The capabilities offered by HEA set Eurofighter Typhoon apart and offer aircrew a key tactical advantage in combat.

High Resolution images of the Eurofighter Typhoon can be downloaded from our web site. Hard Copy images are available on request.

www.eurofighter.com/medialibrary
For more information contact

Dr. Theodor Benien
Vice President Communications

Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH
Am Söldnermoos 17
85399 Hallbergmoos
Germany

Tel.: +49 811 80 1555
Fax: +49 811 80 1557
Mobile: +49 (0)160 93 99 38 40
theodor.benien @eurofighter.com marco-valerio.bonelli @eurofighter.com