Helmet vision system set for testing

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PARIS, July 16 (UPI) -- A European organization for defense procurement cooperation has chosen Thales' TopOwl helmet-mounted sight and display for flight testing.

The testing of the HMSD will be on the A400M prototype multi-mission airlifter of Airbus Military.

The purpose of the tests, authorized by the Organization for Joint Armaments Cooperation and scheduled through next April, is to confirm compatibility of HMSD with the military transport aircraft for night missions, Thales said.

"The equipment meets all the demands of latest-generation transport aircraft cockpits and ensures that the symbology and Enhanced Vision System imagery projected on the Head Up Display are compatible with the intensified night vision imagery," Thales said.

"TopOwl is the only HMSD system in service to incorporate a night vision function. It offers the same performance as the latest generation of night vision goggles but provides a significantly higher level of comfort."

The visor-projected intensified night vision image provides excellent environmental perception and very good peripheral vision. In addition, if image tubes become saturated or fail, the pilot is able to maintain direct vision through the visor, significantly enhancing flight safety.

TopOwl has been selected for numerous combat helicopters by a number of countries.

Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom are members of OCCAR.