News Review: Boeing delivers first JHMCS to the RAAF | ADM Oct 06

1 October 2006

Boeing has delivered the first Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) to the RAAF, increasing the number of international customers using the system to 10.

The JHMCS has been integrated with RAAF F/A-18 Hornets which have undergone Phase 2.2 of the Hornet Upgrade program (HUG), Project Air 5276.

It will allow RAAF Hornet pilots to designate high off-boresight targets for the Hornet's AIM-132 ASRAAM missiles.

The JHMCS has also completed first flights with the Swiss and Finnish air forces' Boeing-built F/A-18 Hornets. First flights in Canadian F/A-18s are scheduled for this month.

"The praise US Air Force and Navy pilots have for this system, which significantly increases combat capability, is attracting the interest of international customers," said Phil King, Boeing JHMCS program manager.

"The proven success of JHMCS in the field has resulted in a steady increase in customer demand."

The first fleet aircraft delivery of JHMCS to the Royal Australian Air Force occurred May 23 at Williamtown.

Boeing Australia and the Hornet Industry Coalition, a collaborative arrangement between Boeing, BAE Systems and L-3 Communications of Canada, will equip 71 Australian F/A-18s with JHMCS by 2008.

Switzerland and Finland operate 35 and 63 systems, respectively.

US pilots first used the JHMCS operationally in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.

The system gives flight crew members the ability to rapidly acquire and designate a target simply by looking at it.

By placing an aiming cross, projected on the helmet visor, over the desired target and pressing a button, pilots can quickly and easily aim weapons and sensors to designate and attack airborne or ground targets.

JHMCS also displays the same flight information on the inside of the helmet visor as is displayed on the Hornet's cockpit Head-Up Display (HUD), including tactical information to increase the pilot's situational awareness.

Since 2000, Boeing has contracted for more than 2,000 systems.

The company is the prime contractor and integrator for JHMCS.

Vision Systems International, based in San Jose, California, manufactures the JHMCS itself; the company, a joint venture between Israeli firm Elbit and Rockwell Collins, is also developing the helmet mounted cueing system for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.