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JHMCS: A Combat Multiplier
Early infared-guided air-air missiles had poor kill probabilities because they had to be launched from the rear, where the enemy engine's heat source provided a clear enough target. Subsequent improvements allowed SRAAMs to be launched head-on, as improved sensors and computer processing allowed the missiles to detect and target the heat created by air friction. The AIM-9L Sidewinder's new capabilities gave British Harriers a clear combat advantage over the Falklands during the 1982 war, which turned out to be critical because without air superiority, the war would have been lost.
Computer processing and seekers have continued to improve, and a number of the most modern SRAAMs use a form of infared imaging that sees pictures rather than just heat sources, and can ignore many flares and other countermeasures. When combined with improvements to missile maneuverability and motors that enable a missile to make several maneuvers at g-forces that fighters can't even approach, close-in combat has become a much deadlier enterprise. The winner may well be the aircraft that shoots first, and so improvements designed to make that outcome more likely become very valuable.
One way to improve one's odds in this environment is to fly a plane with excellent pitch and slew capabilities, allowing the pilot to point at enemy aircraft and quickly get off a shot without having to engage in lengthy maneuvering. The forward canard & delta designs of 4+ generation European fighters, and Sukhoi's advanced SU-30 family aircraft, are no accident. Neither is the F-22A Raptor's thrust vectoring capability, a trait shared by Russian SU-30MKI/M planes and now the MiG-29OVT/MiG-35 as well.
Another approach is to add a helmet-mounted display. If the missile seeker has a wide enough cone, the pilot can simply use his head for the point maneuver, confirming lock-on and firing a SRAAM even at angles that would seem to be outside any threat range based on the position of his aircraft. While aircraft with excellent 'slew and point' capabilities plus HMDs offer the best combination, older aircraft with HMDs and better missiles can become extremely effective. Air combat exercises held after the fall of the Soviet Union, in which German MiG-29s with helmet-mounted displays and AA-11 missiles slaughtered American F-16s by the dozens, drove that point home with brutal clarity.
It should not be surprising that Israel had been working on helmet-mounted displays for some time, and was already flying a system called DASH. Vision Systems International, LLC is a joint venture between Elbit Systems Ltd. Subsidiary EFW Inc. and Rockwell Collins; when the USA went looking for a "Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System" of its own, VSI won the contract in 1996. JHMCS helmets equip US F-15C/E Eagle family, F-16s, and F/A-18 Hornet Family aircraft, and have become popular export items for countries buying these American "teen series" fighters. A 1998 Air Power International article explains:
"Unlike the embedded DASH, the JHMCS is a clip-on package, which can be latched into position with one hand in flight, on a modified HGU-55/P, HGU-56/P or HGU-68/P helmet. The JHMCS is a much more advanced design than the DASH, and builds on the collective technology base of Elbit and Kaiser. It employs a newer, much faster digital processing package, but retains the same style of electromagnetic position sensing as the older DASH does. The CRT package is more capable, but remains limited to monochrome presentation of calligraphic symbology. While the manufacturers have declined to comment, it would appear that the JHMCS will provide support for raster scanned imagery to display FLIR/IRS&T pictures for operations in poor visibility or at night. The photograph of the helmet separated from the Display Unit clearly illustrates the hihg voltage coaxial and discrete/serial connections via the umbilical, which is embedded in the helmet. Unlike the DASH series, the high voltage supply is not embedded in the helmet and feeds up via the umbilical, through a quick disconnect inline high voltage rated connector. An attachment is provided to allow a NVG package to be clipped on during flight. The JHMCS will provide a 20 degree FoV for the right eye, with an 18 mm exit pupil."
Vision Systems International is also working on the more advanced HMDS system for the international F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.
JHMCS: Program to Date
The total value of all JHMCS production contracts since the beginning of low-rate production is over $550 million a figure that excludes minor contract modifications and unannounced sales. As of October 2007, JHMCS had 19 customers, but it seems likely that VSI counts the US Air Force, Air National Guard, and Navy as separate customers. Customers DID has been able to verify include:
F-15s: USAF, US Air National Guard, South Korea (F-15K); Singapore likely (F-15SG)
F-16s: USAF, Chile, Denmark (F-16 MLU program), Greece, The Netherlands, Norway (F-16 MLU), Oman (F-16 E/F), Pakistan, Poland, Turkey
F/A-18 A-D: Australia, Canada, Finland, Switzerland
F/A-18 E/F: US Navy; Australia likely
Contracts & Key Events
Unless otherwise stated, all contracts are issued by the Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH, to Boeing in St. Louis, MO. While the system itself is from the Rockwell Collins/Elbit joint venture Vision Systems International, Boeing is the prime contractor for the JHMCS program. VSI then receives sub-contracts from Boeing. Note that this list presently includes only contracts and events since the beginning of Full Rate Production; the Low Rate Initial Production phase had some bumpy moments, which are detailed in the next section.
Oct 9/07: Boeing delivers the first factory-installed, dual-cockpit F/A-18F Super Hornet JHMCS to the U.S. Navy. The 2-seat variant places a JHMCS helmet on both crew members, giving each the capability to aim weapons and sensors, as well as a visual indication of where each crew member is looking. The inclusion of JHMCS in the aft seat of 2-seat aircraft gives the weapons system officer the same weapons management capabilities as the pilot, vastly reducing the amount of required verbal discussion and improving the ability to react rapidly to targets and/or threats. Phil King, Boeing JHMCS program manager, said that: "The extension of the JHMCS capability into the aft cockpits of F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets has been eagerly awaited for several years."
Boeing delivered the enhanced aircraft to the VX-9 Vampires of Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake, CA, and is scheduled to deliver 77 of the two-seat JHMCS-equipped aircraft to the U.S. Navy over the next 3 years. As of this date, Boeing's release says that it has contracted for more than 2,500 systems since 2000 from Vision Systems International, based in San Jose, CA.
Sept 12/07: A contract for $16.1 million, covering Full Rate Production 4 (FRP4) F-15E Strike Eagle retrofit kits and Group B Hardware for the F-15E Strike Eagle. At this time, all funds been obligated (F33657-01-D-0026, Delivery Order 0066).
April 4/07: A $68.8 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price contract for Full Rate Production Lot 4 (FRP 4) of 321 JHMCS systems. The systems will be used on USAF F-15s and F-16s, MACH Brooks, the USN's F/A-18 platforms, and foreign military sales to Poland (F-16s), Belgium (F-16s), Pakistan (F-16s), Greece (F-16s), Royal Australian Air Force (F/A-18s), Switzerland (F/A-18s), and Canada (F/A-18s). At this time, total funds have been obligated. Work will be complete December 2009 (F33657-01-D-0026/Delivery Order 0058).
Boeing release. See also Rockwell Collins Oct 23/07 release, announcing the sub-contract award from Boeing. Drew Brugal, president of VSI, says that: "With the addition of Belgium and other air forces, VSI now has a total of 19 customers for JHMCS."
Feb 3/07: "New helmet gives pilots the edge" describes the JHMCS' induction at Eiselson AFB, Alaska with the 18th Fighter Squadron (F-16s):
"The upgrade, which runs at around $1,000 per helmet, also holsters a camera and a projector that assist pilots with air operations. The camera is embedded in the helmet and sits over the left eye, allowing American servicemembers on the ground to see exactly what the pilot sees, said Staff Sgt. Jeremy Burton, an 18th FS aircrew life support technician. The projector at the top of the helmet displays information on the inside of the visor over the right eye . Another feature that will soon be implemented in these new helmets is the capability to employ high off-bore sight with air-to-air missiles, said the captain, who has four years experience flying F-16s."
DID presumes that this means the induction of new AIM-9X Sidewinder missile to the squadron, rather than a new capability for the helmet.
Jan 3/07: Hill AFB's "Life support section works to keep pilots safe" describes a successful program that helped the USAF improve training for the fitters and technicians who work on gear like JHMCS. As part of the successful effort described, Senior Airman Mark Fredrickson, 4 FS life support technician, spent 2 months developing a guide for the Joint Helmet Mounting Cuing System that is fitted to F-16 CCIP jets. "The guide is like a 'JHMCS for dummies. It is an easy way to teach the technicians how to perform the new duties with the new helmets."
Airman Fredrickson also explained this program was taken back with the inspectors to be implemented for other Air Force bases in USAF Air Combat Command.
"The reactions of the inspectors were very positive," said Sergeant Freeman. "They were surprised at the vast improvements in the program over the past six months. Two of the three inspectors have been to the 388 FW in the past year and were very pleased at the improvements in the equipment, morale and the program in general."
Sept 29/06: Vision Systems International, San Jose, CA receives a $10 million firm-fixed-price contract for replenishment spare parts and organic depot stand-up equipment applicable to the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS). "Specific components and pricing are set forth by attachment hereto." At this time, total funds have been obligated. The Headquarters 542nd Combat Sustainment Wing at Robins Air Force Base, GA issued the contract. (FA8522-06-C-0029)
Sept 28/06: Turkey requests 36 JHMCS to go with its proposed $1.8 billion order for 30 new F-16C/D aircraft. See: "Turkey Orders 30 F-16C Block 50s et. al. for $2.9B"
Sept 28/06: Teledyne Wireless Inc., Rancho Cordova, CA is being awarded a $370 million firm-fixed-price, time and materials and cost-reimbursable without fee contract. This action provides for spare (nine items), remanufacture/ modernization/ repairs (57 output items), associated Engineering Services, and Logistics Sustainment/Modification Services and Data which are sole source to Teledyne within the authority of the approved SAF/AQ Class J&A #06-JA-013 (11 July 2006).
The Class J&A covered supplies and services supporting Communications and Electronics items for the ALQ-131, ALQ-161, ALQ-135, ALQ-172 and the Joint Helmet Mounted Cuing Systems. At this time, no funds have been obligated. This work will be complete October 2017. The Headquarters Warner Robins Air Logistics Center at Robins Air Force Base, GA issued the contract. (FA8536-06-D-0002)
June 28/06: Pakistan requests 36 JHMCS as part of a $3 billion, 36-plane order for F-16 C/D aircraft, plus up to 60 more as part of an F-16 mid-life upgrade kit deal for their existing fleet worth another $1.3 billion. See: "$5.1B Proposed in Sales, Upgrades, Weapons for Pakistan's F-16s"
other contracts deleted.
Early infared-guided air-air missiles had poor kill probabilities because they had to be launched from the rear, where the enemy engine's heat source provided a clear enough target. Subsequent improvements allowed SRAAMs to be launched head-on, as improved sensors and computer processing allowed the missiles to detect and target the heat created by air friction. The AIM-9L Sidewinder's new capabilities gave British Harriers a clear combat advantage over the Falklands during the 1982 war, which turned out to be critical because without air superiority, the war would have been lost.
Computer processing and seekers have continued to improve, and a number of the most modern SRAAMs use a form of infared imaging that sees pictures rather than just heat sources, and can ignore many flares and other countermeasures. When combined with improvements to missile maneuverability and motors that enable a missile to make several maneuvers at g-forces that fighters can't even approach, close-in combat has become a much deadlier enterprise. The winner may well be the aircraft that shoots first, and so improvements designed to make that outcome more likely become very valuable.
One way to improve one's odds in this environment is to fly a plane with excellent pitch and slew capabilities, allowing the pilot to point at enemy aircraft and quickly get off a shot without having to engage in lengthy maneuvering. The forward canard & delta designs of 4+ generation European fighters, and Sukhoi's advanced SU-30 family aircraft, are no accident. Neither is the F-22A Raptor's thrust vectoring capability, a trait shared by Russian SU-30MKI/M planes and now the MiG-29OVT/MiG-35 as well.
Another approach is to add a helmet-mounted display. If the missile seeker has a wide enough cone, the pilot can simply use his head for the point maneuver, confirming lock-on and firing a SRAAM even at angles that would seem to be outside any threat range based on the position of his aircraft. While aircraft with excellent 'slew and point' capabilities plus HMDs offer the best combination, older aircraft with HMDs and better missiles can become extremely effective. Air combat exercises held after the fall of the Soviet Union, in which German MiG-29s with helmet-mounted displays and AA-11 missiles slaughtered American F-16s by the dozens, drove that point home with brutal clarity.
It should not be surprising that Israel had been working on helmet-mounted displays for some time, and was already flying a system called DASH. Vision Systems International, LLC is a joint venture between Elbit Systems Ltd. Subsidiary EFW Inc. and Rockwell Collins; when the USA went looking for a "Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System" of its own, VSI won the contract in 1996. JHMCS helmets equip US F-15C/E Eagle family, F-16s, and F/A-18 Hornet Family aircraft, and have become popular export items for countries buying these American "teen series" fighters. A 1998 Air Power International article explains:
"Unlike the embedded DASH, the JHMCS is a clip-on package, which can be latched into position with one hand in flight, on a modified HGU-55/P, HGU-56/P or HGU-68/P helmet. The JHMCS is a much more advanced design than the DASH, and builds on the collective technology base of Elbit and Kaiser. It employs a newer, much faster digital processing package, but retains the same style of electromagnetic position sensing as the older DASH does. The CRT package is more capable, but remains limited to monochrome presentation of calligraphic symbology. While the manufacturers have declined to comment, it would appear that the JHMCS will provide support for raster scanned imagery to display FLIR/IRS&T pictures for operations in poor visibility or at night. The photograph of the helmet separated from the Display Unit clearly illustrates the hihg voltage coaxial and discrete/serial connections via the umbilical, which is embedded in the helmet. Unlike the DASH series, the high voltage supply is not embedded in the helmet and feeds up via the umbilical, through a quick disconnect inline high voltage rated connector. An attachment is provided to allow a NVG package to be clipped on during flight. The JHMCS will provide a 20 degree FoV for the right eye, with an 18 mm exit pupil."
Vision Systems International is also working on the more advanced HMDS system for the international F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.
JHMCS: Program to Date
The total value of all JHMCS production contracts since the beginning of low-rate production is over $550 million a figure that excludes minor contract modifications and unannounced sales. As of October 2007, JHMCS had 19 customers, but it seems likely that VSI counts the US Air Force, Air National Guard, and Navy as separate customers. Customers DID has been able to verify include:
F-15s: USAF, US Air National Guard, South Korea (F-15K); Singapore likely (F-15SG)
F-16s: USAF, Chile, Denmark (F-16 MLU program), Greece, The Netherlands, Norway (F-16 MLU), Oman (F-16 E/F), Pakistan, Poland, Turkey
F/A-18 A-D: Australia, Canada, Finland, Switzerland
F/A-18 E/F: US Navy; Australia likely
Contracts & Key Events
Unless otherwise stated, all contracts are issued by the Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH, to Boeing in St. Louis, MO. While the system itself is from the Rockwell Collins/Elbit joint venture Vision Systems International, Boeing is the prime contractor for the JHMCS program. VSI then receives sub-contracts from Boeing. Note that this list presently includes only contracts and events since the beginning of Full Rate Production; the Low Rate Initial Production phase had some bumpy moments, which are detailed in the next section.
Oct 9/07: Boeing delivers the first factory-installed, dual-cockpit F/A-18F Super Hornet JHMCS to the U.S. Navy. The 2-seat variant places a JHMCS helmet on both crew members, giving each the capability to aim weapons and sensors, as well as a visual indication of where each crew member is looking. The inclusion of JHMCS in the aft seat of 2-seat aircraft gives the weapons system officer the same weapons management capabilities as the pilot, vastly reducing the amount of required verbal discussion and improving the ability to react rapidly to targets and/or threats. Phil King, Boeing JHMCS program manager, said that: "The extension of the JHMCS capability into the aft cockpits of F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets has been eagerly awaited for several years."
Boeing delivered the enhanced aircraft to the VX-9 Vampires of Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake, CA, and is scheduled to deliver 77 of the two-seat JHMCS-equipped aircraft to the U.S. Navy over the next 3 years. As of this date, Boeing's release says that it has contracted for more than 2,500 systems since 2000 from Vision Systems International, based in San Jose, CA.
Sept 12/07: A contract for $16.1 million, covering Full Rate Production 4 (FRP4) F-15E Strike Eagle retrofit kits and Group B Hardware for the F-15E Strike Eagle. At this time, all funds been obligated (F33657-01-D-0026, Delivery Order 0066).
April 4/07: A $68.8 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price contract for Full Rate Production Lot 4 (FRP 4) of 321 JHMCS systems. The systems will be used on USAF F-15s and F-16s, MACH Brooks, the USN's F/A-18 platforms, and foreign military sales to Poland (F-16s), Belgium (F-16s), Pakistan (F-16s), Greece (F-16s), Royal Australian Air Force (F/A-18s), Switzerland (F/A-18s), and Canada (F/A-18s). At this time, total funds have been obligated. Work will be complete December 2009 (F33657-01-D-0026/Delivery Order 0058).
Boeing release. See also Rockwell Collins Oct 23/07 release, announcing the sub-contract award from Boeing. Drew Brugal, president of VSI, says that: "With the addition of Belgium and other air forces, VSI now has a total of 19 customers for JHMCS."
Feb 3/07: "New helmet gives pilots the edge" describes the JHMCS' induction at Eiselson AFB, Alaska with the 18th Fighter Squadron (F-16s):
"The upgrade, which runs at around $1,000 per helmet, also holsters a camera and a projector that assist pilots with air operations. The camera is embedded in the helmet and sits over the left eye, allowing American servicemembers on the ground to see exactly what the pilot sees, said Staff Sgt. Jeremy Burton, an 18th FS aircrew life support technician. The projector at the top of the helmet displays information on the inside of the visor over the right eye . Another feature that will soon be implemented in these new helmets is the capability to employ high off-bore sight with air-to-air missiles, said the captain, who has four years experience flying F-16s."
DID presumes that this means the induction of new AIM-9X Sidewinder missile to the squadron, rather than a new capability for the helmet.
Jan 3/07: Hill AFB's "Life support section works to keep pilots safe" describes a successful program that helped the USAF improve training for the fitters and technicians who work on gear like JHMCS. As part of the successful effort described, Senior Airman Mark Fredrickson, 4 FS life support technician, spent 2 months developing a guide for the Joint Helmet Mounting Cuing System that is fitted to F-16 CCIP jets. "The guide is like a 'JHMCS for dummies. It is an easy way to teach the technicians how to perform the new duties with the new helmets."
Airman Fredrickson also explained this program was taken back with the inspectors to be implemented for other Air Force bases in USAF Air Combat Command.
"The reactions of the inspectors were very positive," said Sergeant Freeman. "They were surprised at the vast improvements in the program over the past six months. Two of the three inspectors have been to the 388 FW in the past year and were very pleased at the improvements in the equipment, morale and the program in general."
Sept 29/06: Vision Systems International, San Jose, CA receives a $10 million firm-fixed-price contract for replenishment spare parts and organic depot stand-up equipment applicable to the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS). "Specific components and pricing are set forth by attachment hereto." At this time, total funds have been obligated. The Headquarters 542nd Combat Sustainment Wing at Robins Air Force Base, GA issued the contract. (FA8522-06-C-0029)
Sept 28/06: Turkey requests 36 JHMCS to go with its proposed $1.8 billion order for 30 new F-16C/D aircraft. See: "Turkey Orders 30 F-16C Block 50s et. al. for $2.9B"
Sept 28/06: Teledyne Wireless Inc., Rancho Cordova, CA is being awarded a $370 million firm-fixed-price, time and materials and cost-reimbursable without fee contract. This action provides for spare (nine items), remanufacture/ modernization/ repairs (57 output items), associated Engineering Services, and Logistics Sustainment/Modification Services and Data which are sole source to Teledyne within the authority of the approved SAF/AQ Class J&A #06-JA-013 (11 July 2006).
The Class J&A covered supplies and services supporting Communications and Electronics items for the ALQ-131, ALQ-161, ALQ-135, ALQ-172 and the Joint Helmet Mounted Cuing Systems. At this time, no funds have been obligated. This work will be complete October 2017. The Headquarters Warner Robins Air Logistics Center at Robins Air Force Base, GA issued the contract. (FA8536-06-D-0002)
June 28/06: Pakistan requests 36 JHMCS as part of a $3 billion, 36-plane order for F-16 C/D aircraft, plus up to 60 more as part of an F-16 mid-life upgrade kit deal for their existing fleet worth another $1.3 billion. See: "$5.1B Proposed in Sales, Upgrades, Weapons for Pakistan's F-16s"
other contracts deleted.
