Farnborough, United Kingdom; BAE Systems has delivered an Urgent Operational Requirement to the UK’s Royal Air Force (RAF) to help Tornado pilots identify friendly forces.

The equipment is a high-tech helmet system which projects data in front of the pilot’s eye allowing instant assessment of points of interest.  The technology can save vital seconds during military operations.

The request to develop the Tornado Helmet Mounted Cueing System (HMCS) the RAF’s Tornado GR4 fleet was received in April last year. Within months, engineers and technicians at BAE Systems had integrated the system onto the aircraft and it is now operational on the Tornado in Afghanistan.

Wing Commander Kurt Hill, FAST Tornado Capability Manager said: “The Tornado HMCS capability has greatly enhanced the crews’ situational awareness and resource management, enabling the rapid identification of points of interest in the homogeneous Afghan environment”.

Martin Taylor, BAE Systems’ Combat Air Support Director said:  “We are delighted with the positive feedback from the RAF crews who have used the HMCS on Tornado in Afghanistan.  The speed at which the system was developed and deployed demonstrates our ability to respond effectively to customer requirements.  Over the coming months, we will continue to work with the customer, to provide the capability across the wider Tornado fleet.” 

Source and photo: BAE Systems