PAUL LEWIS / WASHINGTON DC

The US Marine Corps is recompeting the Integrated Helmet Display and Sighting System (IHDSS) for the Bell AH-1Z after ordering BAE Systems to stop Striker IHDSS development work. The move comes as the marines work to re-baseline the programme, and avoid breaching US Congress cost overrun rules.

The reasons for stopping work on the helmet are not clear, with some sources suggesting there is not the money to bring Striker up to performance. Others suggest it has been sacrificed to keep AH-1Z financed. "We have received a stop work order," confirms BAE, but adds: "We believe that we met all the programme objectives with respect to performance as well as cost and schedule."

The USMC is due to submit a new plan shortly to the Pentagon acquisition chief Pete Aldridge that addresses a series of problems that have driven the cost of the programme up to $3.7 billion and delayed fielding until 2007 (Flight International, 22-28 January). "We're now bumping up against the Nunn-McCurdy act and Navair [US Navy Air Systems Command] does not want to go there," says a programme source.

A Nunn-McCurdy breach occurs when programme costs rise by 15%, and once they pass 25%, the defence secretary has to prove that there is no alternative, that new cost estimates are reasonable and project management is in control. Failure will result in cancellation, as with the US Navy area missile defence programme.

Striker IHDSS is an important element of the AH-1Z upgrade. Its detachable night-vision system gives the pilot 24h capability, including weapon and sensor slaving. Symbology and imagery is projected to both eyes giving a 40º field of view. The USMC hoped to later integrate forward looking infrared and TV imagery.

In a fresh survey of the helmet market, two alternative IHDSS systems from EFW and Thales are believed to have been shortlisted.

"We are continually looking at ways to reduce risk and cost. We may pursue that path on the helmet in the interest of reduced cost, technical risk and potential commonality with other platforms," says the Navair H-1 programme office.

Source: Flight International