Helmet target designation systems are not new to the world of weapons. The first helmet-mounted sighting devices appeared in the 1970s. New generations of seeker of heat-guided air-to-air missiles made it possible to lock the target in wider angles of visibility, and as a result, it became necessary to bypass the limitations of the classical ILS (indicator on the windshield) in the angle of view, so as not to waste precious seconds on turning (not always possible) of the whole fighter in the direction of the target.
The first helmet-mounted target designation systems dramatically increased the aiming efficiency of heat-guided missiles in the line of sight.
The first such system began to be developed for the US Navy in 1968 as one of the branches of the development of the concept of "guidance after launch" (lock-after lunch). A new missile AIM 95 "Agile" was developed for the new guidance system. In 1973, the new system was successfully tested, but the project was canceled because the American command considered the new system unnecessarily expensive.
Experimental rocket XAIM-95A
The first experimental helmet for the "Agile" / Elbit Systems DASH system
But, unlike the Americans, the new invention was appreciated in South Africa, equipping their Mirage F1AZ with a similar system. And the USSR followed them (having encountered this system in the skies of Angola), having created the Shchel NVU complex by 1983. The first Soviet helmet-mounted target designation system, coupled with the R-73 RMD-1 missile, had a target designation angle of 45 ° (and 60 ° for the RMD-2).
Rocket R-73
Helmet target designation system "Slit"
In Israel, having learned the hard lesson of 1973, they began to develop their own helmet-mounted target designation systems. The first missile to receive the Elbit Systems DASH system was the Python-3 in the late 1970s. The innovation was not slow to justify itself: having a target designation angle of 75 °, "Python-3" gathered a "bloody harvest" in the skies over Lebanon, destroying more than 35 Syrian aircraft in aerial combat.
Rocket "Python-3"
Since then, helmet-mounted systems have spread to various types of aircraft and have been interfaced with various types of weapons, in particular with the automatic guns of attack helicopters.
Some of the well-known representatives of these technologies are IHADSS for Apache helicopters and GEO-NSTI for Mi-28 and Ka-52 helicopters.
Helmet IHADSS
GEO-NSCI helmet
Over the past three decades, these helmets have learned to process more information and perform more functions. Nevertheless, these helmets still have one serious drawback - this is the rigid pairing of each system with the platform, each helmet is highly specialized.
Elbit Systems decided to free the new generation of NSC from these restrictions. The TARGO helmet is a multi-platform system that can be used by a fighter pilot, an airborne gunner of an amphibious helicopter, and a cargo officer of a transporter. All the helmets of the crew are networked, which one sees - everyone sees.
Almost all the electronics of the system is in the helmet and does not require the installation of accompanying equipment arrays on the platform. To change the platform, it is enough to rewrite the software in the helmet itself and connect the adapter (including wireless) to the platform's on-board computer.
But that is not all. TARGO is not a purely military technology. Its use is possible on rescue helicopters, firefighting aircraft and even (if desired) on civilian airliners.
In principle, with the availability of suitable software, this helmet can be worn on the operator of any equipment that has any sensors for monitoring and controlling the environment. From yacht captain to bus driver.
One of the most important functions of the new system is a full-fledged augmented reality technology, which allows conducting virtual training battles of a high degree of realism, during a real flight, without a partner and training ground targets. And also the ability to interface in real time with ground simulators and their operators.
TTX:
The use of TARGO is possible at any time of the day and in any weather, on any platform, with any weapon and / or equipment.
The weight of the helmet is 1.6 kg.
Food - 17 watts.
Connectivity - 1553 and / or Ethernet, wireless capable.
Modular NVS - HRNVS (field of view 80 °).
TARGO ™ Helmet Mounted System
TARGO ™ HRNVS
Elbit Systems / TARGO®
