Stewart Penney/LONDON
Marconi Electronic Systems expects this week to complete negotiations with German procurement agency BWB for production investment and series production of the Knighthelm helmet-mounted display system for the Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopter. The system is also on offer from Boeing as part of an AH-64 Apache bid in an unspecified country.
Germany will take an initial batch of 80 Tigers and requires two helmets for each aircraft, as well as an unspecified number of spares. Production deliveries will start in 2001. Eurocopter is offering the Knighthelm in international competitions, although the French machines are equipped with a Sextant helmet.
The Knighthelm is a binocular, 40í field-of-view display system with an integrated night vision system. Flight guidance symbology is overlaid on a night vision or other system image.
Marconi intends to offer the Knighthelm to the British Army Air Corps if, as expected, it launches an upgrade programme for its GKN Westland-built WAH-64D Apaches in around 2003. UK Apaches will be delivered with the US Army-standard Integrated Helmet and Display System- a monocular system that requires the use of night vision goggles in low light levels.
Selection by a third country would allow Marconi to integrate the Knighthelm with the Apache, making it a more attractive upgrade path to Apache users. Attack helicopter competitions continue in Australia, Kuwait and Turkey.
Meanwhile, the Eurofighter Basic Mechanical Helmet (BMH) has passed key test milestones. The BMH, which will form the basis of the Eurofighter helmet-mounted display system, was tested at high g and roll rates to review centre of gravity and weight performance. The helmet has also been ejected at 600kt (1,100km/h) during a rocket-sled ejection seat test. Marconi believes it is the only manufacturer of helmet mounted displays to have successfully demonstrated an ejection at this speed.
• GKN Westland has flown the first WAH-64D in the UK. Boeing is supplying the first eight of 67 WAH-64s ordered by the British Army Air Corps and will provide 59 partially assembled aircraft to GKN Westland for completion.
Source: Flight International
