Contract on cue

Boeing has received a $96 million contract for its third full-rate production order of more than 400 Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS).

Under the contract, Boeing will provide the JHMCS for US Air Force (USAF) and Air National Guard F-15 Eagles, USAF F-16 Fighting Falcons, US Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, as well as five international customers.

Pilots first used the JHMCS operationally in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The system gives flight crew members the ability to rapidly acquire and designate a target by looking at it.

By placing an aiming cross, projected on the helmet visor, over the desired target and pressing a button, the pilot can aim weapons and sensors to designate and attack airborne or ground targets.

JHMCS also displays aircraft altitude, airspeed, gravitational pull and angle of attack on the visor, as well as tactical information, to increase the crew member's situational awareness.