Post by Focus on May 21, 2013 9:25:01 GMT
An “augmented reality” flight helmet for Britain’s new F-35 fighter allowing the pilot to see 360 degrees has “significant technical deficiencies” which have forced designers back to the drawing board.
The helmet for Britain’s new F-35 fighter includes a display feeding flight, targeting and sensor information to the pilot
Designers have been begun work on a second, less advanced version after testing showed the helmet-mounted display “did not meet warfighter requirements”.
The display remained a “critical technical risk” which could “substantially degrade” the performance of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter according to a United States congressional watchdog.
“The program is pursuing a dual path by developing a second, less capable helmet while working to fix the first helmet design,” the US Government Accountability Office reported.
Britain is buying dozens of F-35s from Lockheed Martin at around £71 million each. The F-35, which will be known as the Lightning II, is the world’s most expensive and technologically advanced combat aircraft, but has been beset by spiralling costs and equipment setbacks.
The helmet includes a display feeding flight, targeting and sensor information to the pilot.
MPs questioned defence officials on the helmet's problems as they grilled them about the Ministry of Defence’s 2012 policy reversal on the F-35, when it decided to stop buying the carrier version and buy the jump-jet model instead.
The F-35, which will be known as the Lightning II, is the world’s most expensive and technologically advanced combat aircraft, but has been beset by spiralling costs and equipment setbacks
Air Marshal Stephen Hillier, deputy chief of defence staff, said technical problems were bound to arise when developing such a sophisticated piece of equipment, but he was confident they would be resolved.
He said: “We are five years away from our initial delivery so technical issues arise like this.”
Meanwhile the Army announced it was spending £15 million on Hellfire missiles for Apache helicopters after firing more than expected during operations in Libya.
Pilots fired nearly 100 of the 100lb missiles during the campaign against Col Gaddafi’s forces.
Philip Dunne, Minister for defence equipment support and technology, said: “Hellfire has proved itself in Afghanistan and Libya, providing our Apache crews with state-of-the-art precision firepower. This order will ensure the Apache’s attack capability remains in place for current and future operations.”
Ffs can't they get anything right?? - Peoples lives are on the line here, if this equipment is in doubt don't issue it, it's not fcking rocket science!! - Fx
