How does the Eurofighter Helmet Mounted Sight compare to US and Rafale systems?

[Mowers]

Looking at the Eurofighter helmet mounted sight how does it compare to say the US JHCMS that is mounted on a range of US platforms and how does it compare to say the Gerfaut system mounted on the Rafale?

What are the key differences between the systems? In terms of capability and design?

Mowers

[outofshdw]

Capability Now . . . Or Tomorrow . . .

When comparing between different helmet mounted sight and display systems for fighter aircraft, you have take care that you differentiate between systems that actually exist and work, and those that are only laboratory curiosities. Everyone in the avionics business promises big. Not very many have actually delivered.

In simple terms, JHMCS was intended to give the US an immediatly available helmet-mounted sight and display. The equivalent system in the Eurofighter is intended to be more capable . . . but it hasn't been delivered yet.

So here's the detailed comparison:
The Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) was a collaborative outgrowth from Israel's earlier experience with the Display and Sight Helmet (DASH) system. Produced by Vision Systems International, a joint venture between Israel's Elbit and Kaiser Aerospace, JHMCS differed from the earlier DASH III in that it incorporated a modular design, where the optics and visor were clipped onto a helmet. Like the DASH III it featured a monocular 20-deg field of view for displaying images or data. However, the JHMCS did reduce the weight of the overall helmet from 1.9 kg to 1.8 kg. The JHMCS has been integrated into US Air Force and Navy F-15, F-16 and F-18E fighter fleets as part of an ongoing upgrade effort. The earlier DASH system, of course, currently equips a variety of operational air forces worldwide, flying on F-15, F-16, F-5, Mirage 2000 and MiG-21 fighters.

The Typhoon is has been waiting for the Eurofighter Typhoon Integrated Helmet for some time. This system is expected to offer a binocular 40-deg field of view for displaying data, with a 1.9 kg helmet weight for the daylight configuration, and a 2.3 kg helmet in night vision configuration. Flight testing on the Eurofighter Typhoon began in March 2005, with an expected introduction into service with Tranche 2 Eurofighter production in 2008.

Until the Eurofighter helmet is available, however, the absence of such a system has been keenly felt by the RAF. It was reported by Jane's that in air combat training with US Navy F-18E Super Hornets, the US Navy fighters were able to retain the upper hand in visual range engagements by virtue of their helmet mounted sight and display systems. This is a truly remarkable achievement, given the overwhelming advantage that the Typhoon has in both agility and acceleration over the F-18E.

The Rafale is in a position similar to the Eurofighter Typhoon. After Thales' Topsight helmet-mounted sight and display failed to live up to expectations, it was replaced in the projected Rafale avionics suite by Sagem's Gerfaut helmet-mounted display. The Gerfaut was expected to be production ready this year. However, I have yet to see confirmation of a service entry date - suggesting that like the Typhoon, the Rafale will have to wait until 2008 before it achieves a capability that US fighters already have. Like the Eurofighter helmet, the Gerfaut is expected to eventually feature a binocular, 40-deg field of view for image displays - although I believe there were proposals to phase-in the binocular capability over time.

Also in the development stage is the Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS), being prepared for service in the F-35. This system is being developed by the same Vision Systems International team that developed the JHMCS, and will feature a binocular 40-deg field of view. Budget permitting, the HMDS is expected to eventually see service in the F-22 Raptor as well.

So the short answer is that the Eurofighter Typhoon Integrated Helmet is intended to be distinctly superior to the JHMCS currently in service in American inventory . . . but it hasn't quite reached operational readiness yet.

[Mowers]

The Rafale is in a position similar to the Eurofighter Typhoon. After Thales' Topsight helmet-mounted sight and display failed to live up to expectations, it was replaced in the projected Rafale avionics suite by Sagem's Gerfaut helmet-mounted display. The Gerfaut was expected to be production ready this year. However, I have yet to see confirmation of a service entry date - suggesting that like the Typhoon, the Rafale will have to wait until 2008 before it achieves a capability that US fighters already have. Like the Eurofighter helmet, the Gerfaut is expected to eventually feature a binocular, 40-deg field of view for image displays - although I believe there were proposals to phase-in the binocular capability over time.

Thats interesting.

Key Publishing Ltd Aviation Forums - How does the Eurofighter Helmet Mounted Sight compare to US and Rafale systems?

These guys claim that Gerfaut was cancelled and that topsight is now being considered. What are your thoughts?

[outofshdw]

Many Try But Few Succeed

These guys claim that Gerfaut was cancelled and that topsight is now being considered. What are your thoughts?

Could be true. I usually follow Jane's, Aviation Week or Flight International for updates. Jane's Avionics suggests that ther Gerfaut was still the preferred path . . . but since it hasn't been heard from lately, the French just might have admitted defeat.

Lots of companies have tried to fit a system like this into a package sized for a fighter. Very few really live up to the promise. DASH did - because it started out less ambitious, and gradually added functionality as the technology matured. JHMCS likewise succeeded - but they had the DASH system to start from and a budget from Unlce Sam.

Eurofighter . . . we'll have to see. If pockets are deep enough, it can be done.

[Gun Grape]

Lots of companies have tried to fit a system like this into a package sized for a fighter. Very few really live up to the promise. DASH did - because it started out less ambitious, and gradually added functionality as the technology matured. JHMCS likewise succeeded - but they had the DASH system to start from and a budget from Unlce Sam.

And before those whiz bang Israelis did it, the US already had one. But people always forget about that.

The US Navy was flying with a helmet mounted sight back in the 1970s.
Google "Visual Target Acquisition System AN/AVG-8A"

Maybe WabPilot could give us a little insight on it?:)

[outofshdw]

VTAS was Abandoned Due to Poor Performance

And before those whiz bang Israelis did it, the US already had one. But people always forget about that.

The US Navy was flying with a helmet mounted sight back in the 1970s.
Google "Visual Target Acquisition System AN/AVG-8A"

Maybe WabPilot could give us a little insight on it?:)

The VTAS as actually installed for a period of time in US Navy F-4's. It was a disappointment, however. The system was slaved to the F-4's radar, rather than to the missile's guidance system (they only had the Sparrow back them - no AMRAAM). Pilots were never quite sure if they had a lock on the intended target or not.

As I recall, the flirted with installing the system on the F-14 or F-15, but abandoned the idea - based on the unfavorable F-4 experience. The Russians, of course, beat the Israelis to the punch and fielded the first practical helmet-sight and high off-boresight missile combination. They didn't have a display, but the system worked (unlike VTAS). Then the Israelis stepped in, and the rest -as they say - was history.