GRIPEN INTERNATIONAL2004-09-08 16:22:13
First flight with Cobra HMD for Gripen
This spring saw another milestone achievement in the Gripen export program: first flights with the Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) ordered by South Africa for their new Gripen fighters.
Gripen Test Pilot Magnus Olsson was the first pilot to take to the air wearing a fully ergonomic mechanical ‘mock-up' of the new Cobra Helmet Mounted Display (HMD). Following the flight Magnus stated, "The helmet was comfortable and stable throughout the whole test flight. The radio communications worked well and all the test points were met as we gradually increased the envelope between -3g and +9g.�
Selected to meet the stringent requirements of the Gripen, the BAE SYSTEMS ‘Cobra' fully integrated world class HMD system provides, all weather, all attitude operation over the full combat flight envelope. The HMD system will fully complement and enhance the Gripen weapon system with its capabilities that include weapon/sensor slaving with real world overlay of flight parameters, sensor data, target cuing and weapon status.
The HMD displays data directly onto the helmet visor, improving the pilot's situational awareness and allowing the Gripen pilot to stay ‘heads up' at crucial points in the mission. The Cobra is a binocular system with a 40-degree field of view that displays both air-to- air and air-to-ground weapons symbology, as well as basic flight data. The helmet uses Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) for imagery projection and advanced electronics that provide high speed processing and graphics generation.
Gripen's Cobra HMD is the latest version of the ‘Striker' family and benefits directly from over 40 years of combined BAE SYSTEMS and Saab helmet experience. The fully integrated Helmet display system development is the overall responsibility of BAE SYSTEMS; the oxygen mask is being developed by G4 Systems, the high speed, high accuracy helmet tracking system by DENEL Optronics (former CUMULUS) and the display symbology by Saab.
Saab's experience with HMDs dates back nearly 10 years, in which time thousands of hours have been poured into system development and symbology evolution. The ergonomic flight, which was seen as one of the project's largest risks, proved that the HMD met the requirements set. Work will continue throughout 2004 leading to system integration and more flight trials in 2005 using the Gripen C-model and the new helmets. These trials will be used to fully validate operation of the HMD with the fully operational display systems. Pre-production deliveries are scheduled to take place in the second half of 2006 leading to formal deliveries of the Cobra HMD in 2007.
This spring saw another milestone achievement in the Gripen export program: first flights with the Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) ordered by South Africa for their new Gripen fighters.
Gripen Test Pilot Magnus Olsson was the first pilot to take to the air wearing a fully ergonomic mechanical ‘mock-up' of the new Cobra Helmet Mounted Display (HMD). Following the flight Magnus stated, "The helmet was comfortable and stable throughout the whole test flight. The radio communications worked well and all the test points were met as we gradually increased the envelope between -3g and +9g.�
Selected to meet the stringent requirements of the Gripen, the BAE SYSTEMS ‘Cobra' fully integrated world class HMD system provides, all weather, all attitude operation over the full combat flight envelope. The HMD system will fully complement and enhance the Gripen weapon system with its capabilities that include weapon/sensor slaving with real world overlay of flight parameters, sensor data, target cuing and weapon status.
The HMD displays data directly onto the helmet visor, improving the pilot's situational awareness and allowing the Gripen pilot to stay ‘heads up' at crucial points in the mission. The Cobra is a binocular system with a 40-degree field of view that displays both air-to- air and air-to-ground weapons symbology, as well as basic flight data. The helmet uses Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) for imagery projection and advanced electronics that provide high speed processing and graphics generation.
Gripen's Cobra HMD is the latest version of the ‘Striker' family and benefits directly from over 40 years of combined BAE SYSTEMS and Saab helmet experience. The fully integrated Helmet display system development is the overall responsibility of BAE SYSTEMS; the oxygen mask is being developed by G4 Systems, the high speed, high accuracy helmet tracking system by DENEL Optronics (former CUMULUS) and the display symbology by Saab.
Saab's experience with HMDs dates back nearly 10 years, in which time thousands of hours have been poured into system development and symbology evolution. The ergonomic flight, which was seen as one of the project's largest risks, proved that the HMD met the requirements set. Work will continue throughout 2004 leading to system integration and more flight trials in 2005 using the Gripen C-model and the new helmets. These trials will be used to fully validate operation of the HMD with the fully operational display systems. Pre-production deliveries are scheduled to take place in the second half of 2006 leading to formal deliveries of the Cobra HMD in 2007.
For more information contact:
Linkoping
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Sweden
Tel: +46 13 184000
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