spring2022 - 10

COVER STORY
ity and high Mean Time Between Failures
(MTBF). The customizable HUD systems
are available in either an overhead or panel-mounted
configuration, allowing installation
in advanced cockpit configurations, in
conjunction with a Large Area Display (LAD)
using Elbit Systems' low-prole HUD series.
Most HUDs have been deemed too expensive,
big and heavy for general aviation aircraft.
MyGoFlight introduced the SkyDisplay
HUD in 2021, which weighs less than 4.5
pounds and projects a multicolored image
for better visibility.
Mitch Biggs, director of sales and business
development for MyGoFlight/SkyDisplay,
said the display information is optimized
for the phase of flight operation. SkyDisplay
also allows a quick declutter feature and the
ability to rotate the combining glass away
from the pilot's field of view if they deem
it necessary.
Thermal imaging can be added to SkyDisplay
so firefighting pilots can see the hotspots
and significantly improve their drop accuracy
while still getting all their flight data
and record data in one place.
" Essentially, the system is designed to be
plug and play and can be installed by any
MRO, " Biggs said. " The HUD is designed to
be installed by certified avionics installation
shops requiring very little training. We use
standard connectors, common cabling, and
easy-to-read installation guides. "
Excelitas supplies HUD optics and/or combiners
for many aircraft including F-22, F-16,
Eurofighter Typhoon, Rafale, C-130, A400M,
Airbus A350 and A320, Boeing 737, 777 and
787 Dreamliner, and business jets for Bombardier,
Dassault and Gulfstream.
Chris Bigwood, vice president, advanced
optronics, Excelitas Technologies, said the
company offers the capability for holographic
combiners used on many of the military platforms
and the products are renowned for
their image clarity and reliability.
" We have also worked closely with our
customers to develop the next generation of
HUD, which offers a step change in size and
weight whilst maintaining imaging performance, "
Bigwood said.
Excelitas is working with customers
on waveguide solutions, Bigwood said. A
key aspect of these waveguide solutions is
the optical light engine, which is critical
for maintaining image clarity, brightness
and uniformity.
The use of low volume waveguide HUD
technology releases valuable display real
estate below the HUD, previously occupied
by conventional HUD optics allowing integration
of large flat screen displays.
Retrofits using waveguide technology
HUDs open up opportunities for integration
of these flat screen displays into legacy fighter
jet cockpits.
" Alternatively, the HUD can be completely
replaced by a virtual cockpit solution based
on a helmet-mounted display (HMD) such
as the one used on F-35. For HUD or HMD
avionic displays, full-color solutions are
an enhancement that are beginning to be
adopted, " Bigwood said.
The Collins HGS-6000 is a digital HUD
for commercial airliners that the company
called a Head-up Guidance System (HGS).
A HGS includes guidance features to enable
Information on BIT for Collins HUDs
can be found in the maintenance
manuals published by Collins
Aerospace.
10 e-Military Product News For Aviation * SPRING 2022
Collins Aerospace
spring2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of spring2022
