Volume 48, No. 17, Sepetember 21, 2006
By Andrew Stackpool
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CLOSER
TO THEE: Air Force Reserve SQNLDR Philip Freier has been
appointed Archbishop of Melbourne.
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LUKE Skywalker’s targeting helmet has become reality.
Air Combat Group (ACG) has taken delivery of the first of its ‘Look-Lock-Shoot’ advanced Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS).
ACG Commander AIRCDRE Geoff Brown said five Hornets have so far been fitted, with a new one coming online every two weeks.
Boeing is delivering the helmets as part of Hornet Upgrade (HUG) 2.2, with all 71 to be fitted by 2008. Each helmet costs about $AU400,000.
The Staff Officer Air Control at ACG, SQNLDR David Lohse, said each helmet has to be custom-fitted to aircrew due to the fine tolerances required to ensure the Helmet Display Unit (HDU) is readable. The fitting process is carried out by Air Force life support fitters who have been trained by Boeing.
The helmet is being assessed for operational suitability and effectiveness in both air-to-air and air-to-surface roles.
SQNLDR Lohse said initial feedback indicates the system has significant improvements over existing systems, especially as pilots explore new ways to “maximise its utility” in visually acquiring air and surface targets.
“JHMCS allows the pilot to obtain flight performance and tactical information from the HDU while remaining ‘eyes out’ of the cockpit,” he said.
“It enables the pilots to cue their radars or missiles using head movements alone. This allows a true ‘Look-Lock-Shoot’ capability.
“It provides the Hornet pilot with a distinct advantage in the Air Combat Manoeuvring (dogfighting) environment, as it allows them to engage air threats without having to look into the Head-Up Display or cockpit to obtain critical flight parameters, such as altitude, airspeed, G-forces and other tactical information.
“This allows the pilots to manoeuvre the aircraft confidently, no matter where they may be looking at the time.
“It represents a significant leap in technology and capability for the F/A-18 fleet, and will assist our pilots maintain the qualitative edge over foreseen threats until the introduction of the JSF.”
