Rockwell Collins Delivers Gen III F-35 Mounted Display System

Rockwell Collins has delivered the first Gen III F-35 Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS) to Lockheed Martin Today.

Rockwell Collins, through its joint venture, Rockwell Collins ESA Vision Systems LLC, is providing the F-35 HMDS to help pilots situational awareness by allowing them to look through the airframe, the company said in a statement.

The Gen III helmet includes an improved night vision camera and improved liquid-crystal displays, automated alignment and software improvements is to be introduced to the fleet in low rate initial production Lot 7 in 2016. Rockwell Collins ESA Vision Systems LLC also developed the Gen 2 helmet that F-35 pilots currently use, which met the needs for the US Marine Corps and will allow the service to declare Initial Operational Capability.

All the information that pilots need to complete their missions – through all weather, day or night – is projected on the helmet’s visor. Additionally, the F-35’s Distributed Aperture System (DAS), made by Northrop Grumman, streams real-time imagery from six infrared cameras mounted around the aircraft to the helmet, allowing pilots to “look through” the airframe.