VSI's Night Vision Cueing and Display (NVCD) Completes 4 Months of Operational Deployment

SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Vision Systems International, LLC (VSI), a leader in advanced Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) technology, recently supported the successful operational flights of its Night Vision Cueing and Display/ Aviator's Night Vision Imaging System (NVCD/ ANVIS).

"Between June and September this year, Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) F-16 pilots conducted more than 300 hours of flight operations using VSI's NVCD/ ANVIS as part of Operation Unified Protector," said Drew Brugal, President of VSI.  "Pilots depend on JHMCS to successfully execute air-to-air and air-to-ground tactical missions during daylight. The RDAF pilots validated that our NVCD/ ANVIS system is now matured to expand this critical capability to night missions," continued Brugal.

Operation Unified Protector was carried out by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to protect Libyan civilians from the threat of attack.  During a typical combat mission, the RDAF pilots used the advanced Night Vision Cueing and Display goggles for approximately two hours.

"The tactical information and situational awareness that the system provided was outstanding and provided an efficient merge of Night Vision Goggle (NVG) and Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) information," said an RDAF spokesperson.

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 Heads-Up Display (HUD) field-of-view for designation. Critical information and symbology, such as targeting cues and aircraft performance parameters, are displayed directly on the pilot's visor.  

The NVCD/ ANVIS system is based on standard ANVIS-F4949 NVGs, modified with a VSI kit, providing the pilot with full JHMCS symbols and cueing capability during night  operations with NVGs.  The flights conducted were in an RDAF F-16 MLU M5 configuration with no modifications required to the aircraft.

About VSI

Founded in 1996, VSI is a joint venture between Elbit Systems of America, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ and TASE: ESLT) and Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL).  VSI has produced more than 4,500 joint helmet mounted cueing systems (JHMCS) for the F-15, F-16 and F/A-18 aircraft. Additionally, VSI is under contract to deliver Night Vision Cueing and Display Systems (NVCD) to the US Air Force and Navy, and the Fifth Generation HMDS for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. VSI also produces the Targo® HMDs for multiple aviation platforms including fighters, light attack, military airlift and trainers.  

SOURCE Vision Systems International, LLC