Helmet-Mounted Displays: - USAARL - The - U.S. Army

Introductory Overview 1
Clarence E. Rash
Helmet-Mounted Display Evolution
Since the 1970s, the trend in Army aviation has been to rely
increasingly on helmet-mounted display (HMD) devices or systems to
provide the aircrew with pilotage imagery, flight information, and fire
control imagery and symbology. The first such system was the AN/PVS-5
series night vision goggle (NVG), circa 1973. This system was the aviation
version of the SU-50, the earliest HMD used by the infantry (McLean et al.,
1997). It consisted of 2 nd generation image intensification ( I 2 ) devices
“hung” on the existing flight helmet. By 1989, the AN/PVS-5 had been
replaced by the AN/AVS-6 Aviator’s Night Vision Imaging System
(ANVIS) (Figure 1.1), the first I 2 HMD designed specifically for Army
aviation use. ANVIS is a passive, binocular, 3 rd generation I 2 system and
has improved sensitivity and resolution over the 2 nd generation I 2 tubes.
ANVIS is attached to current Army helmets, e.g., SPH-4B and HGU-56/P,
using specially designed mounting brackets. The recent addition of
symbology to the standard ANVIS has produced the AN/AVS-7 head-up
display (HUD) (Nicholson and Troxel, 1996). A history of I 2 HMDs in
Army aviation is given by McLean et al. (1997). [Note: There is some
disagreement among leaders in the field of HMD research and development
as to whether or not ANVIS and its predecessor, the AN/PVS -5 NVG, are
“true” HMDs. However, for the purpose of this book, the authors assert
that these systems do meet the basic definition of an HMD and do perform
the same functions as more prototypical HMDs.]
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