Integrated helmet system with image intensifier tubes
1994; Elsevier BV; Volume: 15; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/0141-9382(94)90063-9
ISSN1872-7387
AutoresH. Schreyer, Harald Böhm, B. Svedevall,
Tópico(s)Optical Systems and Laser Technology
ResumoEurocopter has been under contract to the French and German ministries of defence for 5 years to develop the Tiger, a second-generation anti-tank helicopter. A piloting thermal imager has been installed on a steerable platform in the helicopter nose in order to achieve the possibility of flying round the clock. In addition to this sensor, which is sensitive at a wavelength of 10 μm, the German side has proposed using an integrated helmet system (IHS) in the PAH 2. This helmet, manufactured by GEC-Marconi Avionics, incorporates two cathode ray tubes (CRTs) and two image intensifier tubes (IITs), which allow the pilot to use an additional sensor in the visible and near infra-red spectrum. Eurocopter Deutschland has received the first demonstrator of this helmet for testing in the Eurocopter Visionics Laboratory. Later, the C-prototype will be integrated into a BK 117 helicopter (AVT Avionik Versuchsträger) for system integration tests. This new helmet has a field of view of 40°, an exit pupil of 15 mm and improved possibilities of adjusting the optical part. Laboratory tests have been carried out to test important parameters such as optical resolution under low light level conditions, field of view, eye relief and exit pupil. The CRT channels have been tested for resolution, distortion, vignetting and homogeneity. The requirements and the properties of the helmet, test procedures and the results of these tests are presented in this article.
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