Boeing Phantom Works has started testing Microvision's prototype helmet-mounted display system for potential use in future military aircraft and simulation systems. The trial comes as the retinal-scanning display specialist starts delivering its Nomad Personal Display System to customers after successful trials.
The Boeing work is part of the Virtual Cockpit Optimization Program with the US Army, which is designed to create an electronically enhanced view of the battle space through the use of displays built into a pilot's helmet.
Microvision's helmet features a pair of full colour, high-resolution displays, with the pilot seeing the image through a wraparound optical system between the eyes and the helmet's visor. An integrated head tracker cues the software to present information for head-up and head-down displays, including flight instruments, targeting information and intelligence data.
The Nomad is a high-resolution head-worn display that presents images and information in a see-through or head-up mode, allowing electronic images to be merged into the user's natural field of vision.
One of the first customer deliveries is to Eurocontrol, which evaluated a prototype Nomad last year and is using it to improve visualisation for air traffic controllers. General aviation is one of the company's targets this year following successful flight tests last year.
Source: Flight International
