JHCMS

From AFM magazine,

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U.S. purchases JHCMS

The Boeing Company has recieved a $10.4 million contract from the U.S. Navy to begin low-rate initial production of its Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System {JHMCS}. The Navy will receive 37 of the systems by 2002 for use on its Boeing-built F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft.

The U.S. Air Force is also expected to have follow-on production contracts of JHMCS, which will be used on its F-15, F-16 and F-22 aircraft. The lightweight JHMCS combines a magnetic head tracker with a display projected onto the pilot’s visor, allowing the pilot to aim sensors and weapons wherever
he or she is looking.

The pilot will be able to aim radar, air-to-air missles, infared sensors, and air-to-ground weapons by looking at the target and pressing a switch.

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That last part is interesting, appearantly a HMS with similar capabilities will be present on the upcoming Sukhoi SU-34 strike fighter. It certainly looks like helmet sights are now expected to be more than just a cueing system for short range AAMs, I wonder how much tactics will change as a result?

Weird looking thing en?