Head-Mounted Equipment [HMD/NVG/Glasses] The Collection

This category covers two types of head-mounted display: the Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) and Night Vision Goggle (NVG). A key distinction is that an NVG is a self-contained system whereas an HMD integrates with other systems of the platform supporting the user.

An HMD provides functions similar to a Head Up Display but does so over a wide field of regard because the display turns with the user’s helmet. The simplest form of HMD is a Sight (such as that fitted to the Jaguar) which projects an LED reticle giving basic steering or weapon aiming data to one eye. More sophisticated systems are binocular and provide a full suite of symbology modes generated on twin CRT’s or, more recently, on solid state displays. In addition to this synthetic symbology the system can display a FLIR or LLTC video image from a steerable external sensor and there may even be head mounted IR Cameras as on the Eurofighter HMD. All these images can be programmed and overlaid.

An accurate helmet tracking system is vital to ensure that the imagery presented is correct for the line of sight of the pilot. Since the helmet is now an integral part of the display system it is vital that it fits accurately and does not distort with high G manoeuvres or day-to-day handling. However the helmet must retain its basic role of protecting the pilot.

Night Vision Goggles provide their user with a visible image of the night scene being viewed through them by amplifying the scene's luminance levels many times (>40,000 times). They do not work in zero light but faint starlight is sufficient. The image is produced on a screen and, since the device does not detect colour, this is a green P22 phosphor.

Two such systems are used commonly joined to form a binocular system that may be fitted onto a clip on the user's protective helmet.
Object Name Cat No Object Type Year
BMH Outer Helmet Assembly (Space Model) C1486 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component 2001
Cathode Ray Tube C0402 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component 1988
Cathode Ray Tube C0403 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component 1982
Cats Eyes. Night Vision Goggles. C1845 Display Unit circa 1985
Cats Eyes™ Badge C1581 Medal/Badge circa 1985
Cats Eyes™ Cloth Badge C1261 Medal/Badge circa 1990
Cats Eyes™ Night Vision Goggles C1251 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component circa 1990
Cats Eyes™ Night Vision Goggles C0676 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component circa 1990
Cats Eyes™ Night Vision Goggles C1288 Display Unit circa 1990
Cats Eyes™ Night Vision Goggles Parts C1089 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component circa 1990
Cats Eyes™ NVG Image Intensifier Assembly C0366 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component circa 1990
Circuit Module C0468 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component circa 1988
Clear Visor C0931 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component Unknown
Cobra Helmet C1567 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component circa 2005
Commercial Head-Mounted Display C0508 Display Unit Unknown
EF 2000 Oxygen Mask C1490 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component circa 1993
EFA HMD with Optical Tracker (space model) C0396 Model circa 1998
Eyepiece C0375 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component Unknown
Falcon Eye HMD Control Unit C0393 Control/Data Entry Unknown
Flying Helmet (Green) C0385 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component Unknown
Flying Helmet (White) C1510 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component circa 2008
Flying Helmet Inner Liner with Padding C1139 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component Unknown
Gentex Helmet Mounted Display (space model) C0520 Model circa 1990
Gentex SPH-4 Flying Helmet C1489 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component circa 1983
Ground Crew Ocular Protector C0399 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component 1987
Ground Crew Ocular Protector C0150 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component Unknown
Ground Owl™ parts C0679 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component Unknown
Head Mounted Frame in Carrying case. C1852 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component Unknown
Head Mounted Optical Projection System (HOPROS) C1492 Display Unit circa 1996
Helmet (space model) C0239 Model Unknown
Helmet (White) C0373 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component Unknown
Helmet 2-Part Inner Liners C1128 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component 2005
Helmet Clear Visor C1596 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component circa 1993
Helmet Clip-On Dark Visor C1597 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component Unknown
Helmet Dark Visor C0377 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component Unknown
Helmet Electronics Unit C0917 Signal/Data Processor Unknown
Helmet Inner (Black) C0401 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component Unknown
Helmet Inner (Grey) C0387 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component Unknown
Helmet Mounted Display C0374 Display Unit circa 1980
Helmet Mounted Display C0395 Display Unit Unknown
Helmet Mounted Display C0912 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component 2005
Helmet Mounted Display C0946 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component 2004
Helmet Mounted Display C1765 Display Unit circa 2005
Helmet Mounted Display C1766 Display Unit circa 2005
Helmet Mounted Display Model C0372 Model circa 1987
Helmet Mounted Display Model (Grey) C0391 Display Unit Unknown
Helmet Mounted Sight C0386 Display Unit circa 1978
Helmet Mounted Sight C0389 Display Unit Unknown
Helmet Mounted Sight C0553 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component circa 2007
Helmet Mounted Sight (Green) C0394 Display Unit circa 1977
Helmet Mounted Sight on Builders Helmet C0384 Display Unit circa 1985
Helmet Shell Visor with Mask C0382 Display Unit 1993
Helmet with Display C1243 Display Unit circa 1987
Helmet with Ground Owl™ Goggles C0997 Display Unit Unknown
Helmet with Inner Shell C1126 Display Unit 2000
Helmet/NVG Alignment Jig C1687 Test Equipment Unknown
HILDA Helmet Shell C0518 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component circa 2003
HMD CRT Assembly C1542 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component 2000
HMD CRT Assembly C1563 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component 2004
HMD CRT Cable Assembly C0400 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component Unknown
HMD Left Hand Optical System (space model) C0984 Model circa 2008
HMD Left Hand Optical System (space model) C0985 Model circa 2008
HMD Quick Release Cable Assembly C0926 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component Unknown
I-Nights Helmet Mounted Display C0381 Display Unit Unknown
I-Nights HMD C0519 Display Unit 1990
I-Nights HMD Module C0397 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component Unknown
Integrated Helmet Unit (IHU) C0390 Display Unit Unknown
Interim Boresight Assembly C1097 Test Equipment circa 1998
Laser Protection Eyepiece C0967 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component Unknown
LED Matrix Manufacture Exhibit C0626 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component 1975
Letter from the Department of the Navy C1236 Plaque/Certificate 1991
MicroVision Scanner C0958 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component 1998
Miniature CRT Assembly C1543 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component Unknown
Mk4G Protective Flying Helmet C1276 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component 1988
Monocular Night Vision Sight. C1851 Display Unit circa 1992
NBC Hood C0617 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component Unknown
Night Vision Goggles C0016 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component circa 1970
Night Vision System, General Purpose. C1846 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component Unknown
Ocular Protector C0961 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component 1986
Ocular Protector C0650 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component circa 1987
Ocular Protector C0649 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component 1986
Ocular Protector C0365 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component 1985
Optical Eyepiece assembly large C0363 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component Unknown
Outer Shell of Tiger Helmet Mounted Display C1488 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component 1994
Oxygen Mask C0966 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component Unknown
Oxygen Mask Medium/Narrow C1514 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component circa 2003
Pipelite HMD Drive C0383 Signal/Data Processor 1979
Prototype optical assy for Tiger C0364 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component Unknown
Prototype Q-Sight C1006 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component circa 2008
Q-Sight Demonstrator C1781 Display Unit circa 2009
Q-Sight Drive Module. C1419 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component 2011
Q-Sight Waveguide and Projector C1408 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component 2009
Q-Sight Waveguide sub-assembly C1407 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component 2009
Q-Warrior Sight C1760 Display Unit circa 2014
Skeleton Helmet Mounted Sight C0388 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component circa 1977
Stereolith model of Q-Sight C1007 Model circa 2008
Tiger HMD Module C0398 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component Unknown
Tiger Prototype HMD C0522 Display Unit Unknown
Typhoon Helmet Mounted Display C0376 Display Unit Unknown
Typhoon Mouse Mat C0716 Promotional Item 2009
Typhoon Prototype HMD C0521 Display Unit circa 2002
Viper-like HMD for H-1 Helicopter Programme C0507 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component circa 1998
Viper™ Helmet Mounted Display C0232 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component circa 1992
Viper™ I Helmet Mounted Sight C0392 Display Unit Unknown
Viper™ II Module C0380 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component 1994
Visor Clear C0378 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component Unknown
Visor with Dichroic patch C0379 Module/Sub-Assembly/Component Unknown
White Spectrum colour Helmet Mounted Display C1761 Display Unit 2014
Wide FoV HMD LH C1762 Display Unit circa 1989
Wide FoV HMD RH C1763 Display Unit circa 1989