Lessons Learned from Test Flight of Military HMDs: Possible Application to Civilian Rotorcraft Operation

Advanced binocular Helmet Mounted Displays (HMD) capable of bisensor operation (I² tubes and video images) with overlaid symbology have been developed for military use in various helicopters. Extensive flight testing of such helmets, as the French TOPOWL^®, have provided so far a considerable amount of data relatively to Night Vision System design and use. Design options allowing improved mass and Center of Gravity in regard of classical NVG, as folded optics and visor projection, have been shown to give very effective results. Performance in various flight conditions, including fog, snow and obstacles, has been quite thoroughly investigated. Training issues with I² and head-steered thermal imagery have also been addressed during test flight.

Lessons learned from test flight open interesting possibilities for further use of such systems in civilian rotorcraft operation, provided acceptably low cost solutions could be achieved.