The helmet-mounted visual system in flight simulation

An account is given of the application of fiber-optic helmet-mounted display systems to flight simulation tasks for complex combat mission scenarios involving numerous external aircraft, audible communications, and various types of threats. Such helmets, which although custom-made for each pilot are far less expensive than image-projection systems, consist of two 3-in. diameter 'optical pancake windows' mounted in front of the pilot's eyes to which images are transferred through fiber-optic cables from four high-brightness light-valve projectors. Head-position information is provided by an optical tracking system. The pancake window displays are semitransparent and allow cockpit controls and displays to be viewed normally.