The F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) today informed Lockheed Martin that it decided to halt development of the alternate F-35 helmet and focus exclusively on maturing the Rockwell Collins Elbit Systems of America Vision Systems Generation 2 (Gen 2) helmet currently utilized in training and testing. This system will recoup approximately $45 million in funds it had originally allocated for the construction of the alternate helmet.
In 2011, program and industry officials acknowledged that there have been technical issues facing the main helmet system. To make sure viable combat capability was available when needed, this system began a dual-path development plan as a risk-management strategy within the event maturity issues facing the Gen 2 helmet couldn’t be resolved. BAE Systems began developing the alternate helmet in September 2011.
“The government’s decision to proceed exclusively with the main helmet is indicative in their confidence within the helmet’s performance and the successful resolution of previously identified technical challenges,” said Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin executive vice chairman and general manager of the F-35 Lightning II Program. “To date, greater than 100 F-35 pilots have flown greater than 6,000 flights and 10,000 hours with the helmet, and their feedback was very positive. Lockheed Martin and its suppliers will continue to highlight developing and delivering the helmet’s unprecedented capabilities to the warfighter in support of the services’ declaration of Initial Operating Capability.”
The F-35′s Helmet Mounted Display Systems provide pilots with unprecedented situational awareness; all of the information pilots ought to complete their missions – through all weather, day or night – is projected at the helmet’s visor. Additionally, the F-35′s Distributed Aperture System streams real-time imagery from six infrared cameras mounted round the aircraft to the helmet, allowing pilots to “look through” the airframe.
Beginning with aircraft in Low Rate Initial Production lot 7, this system will introduce a Gen 3 helmet that includes a more robust night vision camera, new liquid crystal displays, automated alignment and software enhancements.
The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment. Three distinct variants of the F-35 will replace the A-10 and F-16 for the U.S. Air Force, the F/A-18 for the U.S. Navy, the F/A-18 and AV-B Harrier for the U.S. Marine Corps, and various fighters for no less than 10 other countries.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a world security and aerospace company that employs about 116,000 people worldwide and is especially engaged within the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products, and services. The Corporation’s net sales for 2012 were $47.2 billion.
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