BAE Systems’ Digital Light Engine Technology to Illuminate F-22 Head-up Display

BAE Systems will modernize the F-22 Raptor’s head-up display with its Digital Light Engine technology. (Photo: BAE Systems)

January 16, 2017 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

ARLINGTON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–BAE Systems has been selected by Lockheed Martin to modernize the F-22 Raptor’s head-up display (HUD) for the U.S. Air Force, replacing it with a completely digital version.

Under terms of the contract, BAE Systems will use its advanced Digital Light Engine (DLE) technology to implement a form, fit, and function HUD solution that integrates seamlessly into the F-22’s existing HUD space. The company then anticipates receiving a follow-on production contract to retrofit the F-22 fleet’s current HUDs with the modern DLE solution.

“The F-22 is a premier fighter aircraft of the U.S. Air Force, and its pilots deserve the most advanced situational awareness technology available today,” said Andy Humphries, director of Advanced Displays at BAE Systems. “We’ve worked closely with Lockheed Martin to deliver a completely modernized HUD solution for the F-22 fleet that meets the long-term needs of the Air Force.”

The DLE package is compatible with any existing aircraft interface. Designed for mission effectiveness, the upgrade removes the conventional cathode ray tube image source and introduces a more advanced digital display solution. The digital technology offers increased reliability, eliminates high-maintenance and obsolete items, and provides a constant luminance performance.

“This new F-22 head-up display is a great example of how the F-22 industry team is integrating innovative technologies into the combat Raptor fleet,” said Ken Merchant, vice president of the F-22 program at Lockheed Martin. “This directly supports our ongoing efforts to deliver affordable and reliable new capabilities to our Air Force customer and warfighters.”

BAE Systems has been a leader in HUD development and production for more than 50 years, a position gained through continuous investment in technology and innovation. The company has produced more than 15,000 head-up displays that have been in service on more than 50 different aircraft types in more than 50 countries around the world. BAE Systems’ displays perform on some of the most advanced and demanding military aircraft around the world.

Original post businesswire.com

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Digital Light Engine Head-Up Display (HUD)

See thru display for Military Aviation

BAE Systems has been a leader in HUD development and production for more than 50 years, a position gained through continuous investment in technology and innovation. BAE Systems:

has produced over 14,000 head-up displays
that are in service on over 50 different aircraft types
and for more than 50 countries

Features

Better situational awareness for the military aviator
Allows some freedom of head movement, reducing pilot fatigue
Backward compatible to any existing aircraft interface which offers minimal impact on display performance

Photo of the Digital Light Engine Head-Up Display

Designed for mission effectiveness, the DLE HUD has addressed obsolescence issues by:

removing the conventional cathode ray tube (CRT) technology powering the display and
introducing a more advanced digital display solution

With more military aircraft upgrade advancements to digital display solutions, the DLE HUD offers easy integration into existing HUD space. Offering more than 20 percent life cycle cost reduction and at least four times greater Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF), the DLE HUD is a future proof investment in the advanced display technology segment.

Typical performance specification

Specification Display Source	Analogue Symbol Generator, EU, AEU, MLU, IMDC
Display Surface Resolution	1280 x 1024 pixels
Field of View	25° x 22°
Display Luminance	0 to > 2000 ftL
Luminance Uniformity	< 20% within a 10° diameter area
< 30% over the TFoV
Secondary Images	< 2% of primary
Display Contrast	> 1.2:1 against an ambient of 10,000 ftL
> 1200:1 Sequential
Outside World Transmission	> 75%
Image Positional Accuracy	< 0.8mR error within 5° of CFoV < 1mR elsewhere within FoV
Mass	< 20.1 Kilograms (ballast may be applied to maintain C of G position if required)
Operating Temperature	-40°C to +75°C
Storage Temperature	-40°C to +85°C
Operating Altitude	0 to 70,000 ft
Power	<85 Watts
Latency	<1mS
Dimensions	Form Fit Function