Published on 05/15/2007
Fighter plane cockpits have long sported a Heads Up Display (HUD) that projects important information right in front of the pilot on a glass screen, enabling the pilot to be more aware of his surroundings rather than staring blindly at the instruments within. The F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter changes this norm as it is the first fighter in decades to lose the HUD, thanks to the F-35 Helmet Mounted Display System. This unique system boasts a Binocular Wide Field-of-View, Integrated day/night capability, highly accurate head tracking hardware and software, Digital image source for helmet vision display symbology, Custom helmet shell, and light weight liner and suspension system for maximum pilot comfort. The result of such technology? The pilot can "paint" different targets simultaneously even at the most impossible angles, tracking them by turning his head instead. If only Darth Vader had this during the Trench Run...