Vision Systems Intl. announced Monday that the F-35 Gen II Helmet Mounted Display System had flown on the F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing variant of the new strike fighter. “The most advanced helmet mounted display system in the world flew a very successful flight,” said VSI president Drew Brugal. The new system, he said, provides “unmatched situational awareness” presented in a “wide-field of view display format.” Brugal added that the Gen II heads-up display “replaces traditional HUD systems and gives the pilot precise, stable symbology in the forward cone and a seamless transition to mission critical symbology in the remaining field of regard.” VSI, formed by Rockwell Collins and Elbit Systems in 1996, has a Gen II low-rate initial production contract with F-35 prime contractor Lockheed Martin and has production tooling and initial funding contracts for the joint training center standup at Eglin AFB, Fla. (Rockwell Collins release)
In Part 2 of a series exploring the Software Acquisition Pathway that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently made mandatory, we look back at how the acquisition reform has its origins in problems with the F-35.