VSI's Night Vision Cueing and Display evaluated in flight by the RNLAF

Vision Systems International, LLC (VSI), a leader in advanced Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) technology, has recently completed a successful flight evaluation of its Night Vision Cueing and Display Aviator's Night Vision Imaging System (NVCD ANVIS).

The flight evaluation of the NVCD ANVIS was conducted by the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) at Leeuwarden Air Base, Netherlands, on March 22-23, 2010. A standard pair of ANVIS-F4949 Night Vision Goggles (NVGs), provided by the RNLAF, were modified with a VSI kit in one hour by the RNLAF personnel at Netherlands NVG depot facility. The flight evaluation was conducted in an RNLAF F-16 with no modifications required to the aircraft. Air-to-air and air-to-ground missions were performed during the evaluation.

The pilot was very pleased with the system performance. His quotes include... "The NVCD display performed very well...Excellent symbol clarity and readability...Overall, the NVCD system provided much improved situational awareness during the demanding night mission...Safety of flight was improved by being able to quickly pick up flight members with the NVCD in combination with Link 16...No significant change in weight, center of gravity or comfort compared to the standard NVG configuration..."

"The NVCD capability is a significant addition to the JHMCS program," said VSI President Drew Brugal. "The warfighter depends on JHMCS to successfully execute air-to-air and air-to-ground tactical missions during daylight. As demonstrated by the RNLAF pilot, the NVCD system now expands this critical capability to night missions."

The JHMCS provides the pilot with "first look, first shot" high off-boresight weapons engagement capabilities. The system enables the pilot to accurately cue onboard weapons and sensors against enemy aircraft and ground targets without the need to aggressively turn the aircraft or place the target in the Head Up Display (HUD) field-of-view for designation. Critical information and symbology, such as targeting cues and aircraft performance parameters, are graphically displayed directly on the pilot's visor.