Integrated night vision in helmet-mounted displays

Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) are a primary means of providing enhanced visio n at night for many rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft. The drive to intro duce Helmet-Mounted Displays (HMDs) into service has resulted in the desire to combine the function of the Night Vision Goggle with that of the HMD. T his paper provides an overview of NVG technology and addresses the requirem ents and design issues surrounding integrated NVG and display systems. Seve ral practical implementations are discussed that are either in service or a re due to enter service shortly The paper covers both the rotary-wing and f ast-jet requirements and discusses the differing operational needs, and how these impact the practical implementation of integrated helmet systems in each case.