Graham Warwick/WASHINGTON DC
Microvision has won a US Army contract to provide a prototype helmet-mounted display incorporating its virtual retinal-display (VRD) technology for the Boeing Sikorsky RAH-66.
The contract, potentially worth over $4 million, was awarded by the Army's Aircrew Integrated Systems (ACIS) programme office under the Comanche-Compatible Common Helmet programme, which is planning to evaluate the technology as an alternative to conventional helmet-mounted displays.
Seattle-based Microvision says that its VRD, which displays a visual image into the pilot's retina using lower-power laser light-sources, provides greater brightness, contrast and resolution than that of current display technology and eliminates high voltages close to the pilot's head.
ACIS project manager Tom Metzler says that the Army is "-impressed with the potential performance enhancements" which is offered by VRD technology.
The contract calls for delivery during 1998 of a helmet-mounted system incorporating a lightweight binocular, monochrome, display providing 1,280 x 1,024-pixel resolution. Future upgrades may include higher resolution and full colour, says the company.
Source: Flight International