Host Flo Taitsch, famous for his Top Gun, Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell look – goes behind classified doors at BAE Systems in Warton, Lancashire, and Rochester, Kent, to get the low down on Striker II from the experts in the know.
Speaking to former RAF Typhoon pilot and now BAE Systems test pilot, Andrew “Blyty” Mallory-Blythe, Flo learns about the capabilities of the world’s most advanced helmet.
Blyty says Striker II is the world’s only full-colour solution with integrated night vision, giving pilots unparalleled situational awareness.
The most important thing for pilots when it comes to helmets is protection – we’ve put a lot of design and development into Striker II.
“From making it lighter in weight to supporting the display of high-resolution sensor systems, allowing pilots to see through the body of the aircraft – it is the helmet of the future.
“The feature I like the most on Striker II is the night vision camera – it merges with the tactical symbology capabilities, reducing the need for heavy night vision goggles.”
Putting the highly advanced Striker II to the test, Blyty’s test flight take-off is captured as part of this latest episode from The Fighter Show, with Flo experiencing the roar of the Typhoon engine, from the side of the runway.
After trying out the Striker II helmet for himself during a flight simulation at BAE Systems Rochester, Flo catches up with Nigel Kidd, Director for Helmet Mounted Displays.
Nigel said: “We’ve got the capabilities now in Striker II to be able to provide the information that would have typically been on the head up display and that level of accuracy, so that the pilot could use the helmet as a primary flight reference – and not just going forwards, in a 360 bubble around the aircraft to give the pilot as much situational awareness and decision making time as we can.”
Flo said: “It was fascinating to try out Striker II and to experience the impressive capabilities in the simulator – it is comfortable with incredible functionality – a super helmet.”
Launched in 2023, The Fighter Show is a world-first YouTube series owned and produced by Eurofighter Typhoon – the world’s most advanced swing-role combat aircraft.
With episodes filmed at a variety of outdoor locations including Air Bases and Air Shows across Europe, studio episodes with a live audience, and guest interviews with pilots, engineers, technicians and authors. Fronted by Flo Taitsch, The Fighter Show can be described as “Top Gear meets Top Gun.”