FORT WORTH, TEXAS, July 7, 2016 – Elbit Systems of America and Rockwell Collins recently marked the 20th anniversary of their highly successful Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) joint venture in a special board meeting in Fort Worth, Texas.
“Today we celebrate the partnership of two of the world’s top avionic systems providers,” commented Elbit Systems of America’s President and Chief Executive Officer Raanan Horowitz. “The incredible synergy created by this combination has resulted in RCEVS becoming the worldwide leader in HMD solutions for military fixed-wing aircraft.”
Since forming the joint venture in 1996 to provide helmet mounted displays for fixed-wing military aircraft, Rockwell Collins ESA Vision Systems LLC (RCEVS), has delivered thousands of Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) HMDs across the world for F-15, F-16 and F/A-18 advanced cockpits.
RCEVS’ success with JHMCS led to its selection as HMD provider for F-35 with hundreds of systems delivered to date. The F-35 HMD gives F-35 pilots unsurpassed situational awareness by displaying critical flight information and sensor video throughout the entire mission. The HMD serves as the virtual Head-Up Display (HUD), enabling the F-35 to become the first tactical fighter in 50 years without a traditional HUD.
“Over the course of the past two decades we’ve witnessed significant changes in our industry and dramatic technological advancements that are evolving the future of flight,” said Phil Jasper, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Government Systems for Rockwell Collins. “But the one constant that has remained in our partnership with Elbit is our shared purpose to help pilots around the world be successful in their missions.”
The RCEVS HMD is the primary pilot interface to the complex F-35 weapon system and is included on every F-35. To date, hundreds have been delivered to F-35 prime contractor, Lockheed Martin, for use by multiple countries. RCEVS continues to work closely with Lockheed Martin and the F-35 users to improve the F-35 HMDS features, including weight reductions, processing enhancement and reliability improvement.
RCEVS JHMCS HMDs are flying with more than 20 air forces around the world. These provide accurate cueing of targeting systems wherever the pilot looks versus the traditional HUD which is limited to a narrow cone of forward aiming.
RCEVS continues to advance the utility of HMD systems with significant investment to improve key features. The JHMCS family of helmets now includes the Digital JHMCS (DJHMCS), currently delivered on Boeing F-15s, with a digital display, improved weight distribution for pilot comfort and better reliability, while maintaining 100% aircraft compatibility.
The JHMCS II version has been developed for new or upgraded aircraft that do not have JHMCS. It reduces aircraft installation impacts while taking advantage of DJHMCS digital display and better balance. JHMCS II is now the baseline for Lockheed Martin F-16 upgrades. RCEVS has also developed night cueing upgrades which are currently operational with several air forces.
