Vision Systems International, (VSI), a leader in advanced Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) technology, has received several new contracts with a total value of more than $120 million. VSI is a joint venture between Elbit Systems of America, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems, and Rockwell Collins Inc.

The Boeing Company awarded VSI a contract for the delivery of more than 550 additional Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS). VSI also received direct contracts from the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force for spares and Ground Support Equipment (GSE) in support of the JHMCS program.

Under the production contract, VSI will provide JHMCS hardware, including spares, technical support and GSE for the Full Rate Production – Lot 5 (FRP-5) acquisition. This procurement fills U.S. government domestic requirements for the U.S. Air Force F-15E and F-16, Air National Guard F-15, U.S. Navy F/A-18C/D/E/F/G single seat and dual seat platforms, as well as foreign military sales production and spares commitments including: Australia (F/A-18), Belgium (F-16), Turkey (F-16), and other countries. Deliveries under FRP-5 will commence this year and continue through 2010.

“With the delivery of more than 3,000 systems, the JHMCS is the world’s premier helmet display for fixed-wing tactical aircraft,” says VSI President Drew Brugal. “The system provides the warfighter with unmatched situation awareness throughout the operational profile of the jet. By keeping ‘eyes out’ while viewing all critical information on the helmet visor, the pilot has a significant advantage in both air-to-air and air-to-ground mission execution.”

Brugal added that the award will have a substantial economic impact with the creation of high quality jobs in the San Jose area.

The JHMCS provides the pilot with “first look, first shot” high off-boresight weapons engagement capabilities. The system enables the pilot to accurately cue onboard weapons and sensors against enemy aircraft and ground targets without the need to aggressively turn the aircraft or place the target in the Head-Up Display (HUD) field-of-view for designation. Critical information and symbology, such as targeting cues and aircraft performance parameters, are graphically displayed directly on the pilot’s visor.

Source: Elbit