BAE unveils ‘future proof’ Striker II helmet

The helmet is designed to provide combat pilots with advanced night vision and target tracking technology. It's also a lot lighter and provides superior protection compared to previous models. Joseph Senftle, vice president and general manager for Communications and Controls Solutions at BAE, said: "As the industry transitions from analogue to digital display solutions, Striker II brings a superior, fully digital capability to multiple platform types. "Designed to address evolving mission requirements with advanced digital night vision technology, our new HMD was built to be 'future proof' and seamlessly adaptable to technology advancements in the years ahead." The digital night vision camera inside the Striker II has been designed to help reduce g-force effects on the pilot's head and neck to improve comfort. It also eliminates the need to manually configure and adjust night vision goggle hardware for day-to-night transitions. With its binocular visor-projected display performance, the new system integrates a centre mounted ISIE-11 sensor based on advanced imaging sensor technology from Intevac Photonics. The HMD also includes a cutting edge tracking system that ensures the pilot's exact head position and the aircraft computer system are continuously in sync. "The Striker II tracking system, with new hybrid opto-inertial technology, eliminates any delay in determining where the pilot is looking and can therefore perfectly position symbology onto the visor." Noted Senftle. "The results are high precision target tracking and engagement as well as superior situational awareness and mission effectiveness."