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Typhoon HUD CRT Assembly

Technical Information

Catalogue No: C0414
Category: Head-Up Display [HUD]
Object Type: Module/Sub-Assembly/Component
Object Name: Typhoon HUD CRT Assembly
Part No: G0858-S6-1
Serial No: 120114
Manufacturer: Brimar
Division: Unknown
Platform(s): Typhoon (Eurofighter/EFA)
Year of Manufacture: 1998
Dimensions: Width (mm): 95
Height (mm): 85
Depth (mm): 190
Weight (g): 960
Location: Cupboard CA (CRTs) [Main Store]
Inscription(s):

Brimar Limited
Viewed as the finest in the World
Type No. G0585-S6-1
Serial No. 120114
Part No, K0656-9002-00051
NSN ------
Date Code 9825F
NSCM U3008
Made in England

Notes:

It is presumed the date code 9825 means week 25 in 1998.

The Typhoon HUD has a single element combiner using new computer generated holographic techniques to take out the distortion. The Combiner assembly features a single element comprising two glass plates bonded to produce a flat parallel sided assembly. A complex reflective holographic optical element (HOE) is recorded on photosensitised gelatine on the spherical interface sandwiched in the assembly which acts as the collimating Combiner. The construction optics to manufacture the HOE incorporate a CGH that generates a phase shape that could not be done using conventional lenses.

The combiner is also flat which minimises real world distortion and provides a total field of view (TFoV) of 30deg x 25deg with an instantaneous field of view (IFOV) of 30deg x 20deg.

This design is capable of cursive, raster and hybrid operation with a sunlight readable raster display. The minimal support structure gives a remarkably clear out-of-cockpit view optimal for air-to-air combat. The two seat variant has a similar HUD in the rear seat which can display video from the forward HUD camera. This design represents probably the `ultimate HUD' in service to date in a combat aircraft. The key feature is integrity such that the pilot no longer needs to monitor the HUD against other instruments thus reducing workload compared to Tornado for example.

In 1990 the Company was awarded a £54million contract in which the Airborne Display Division lead a consortium with Teldix GmbH of Germany, Selenia of Italy, and CESELSA of Spain,  to develop the EFA Pilot’s Head Up Display.

The more recent Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) for the Company Pilot’s Display Units are supplied as a CRT Assembly incorporating the CRT within its mu-metal housing. The CRT has a deflection coil within the casing which magnetically deflects the beam; focussing is electrostatic. The final anode operates at a high voltage of 18kV or more and the focus voltage is in the range 3-5kV.
A range of fine grain phosphors are used on the screen and the inside face, on which the phosphor is deposited, is accurately aligned to the mounting flange of the tube to ensure it coincides with the optical module's image plane.
When the CRT Assembly is fitted with its Matching Card it forms a Tube Unit Assembly (TUA).
The latest raster/cursive CRTs have a blank or silvered area usually at the bottom of the screen where the beam is deflected for a beam current calibration test. This is found on F-16 C/D (which introduced the idea), LANTIRN and Typhoon.

4500 Series GEC Ferranti HUD: This TUA operates in a raster or cursive mode and uses a P43 phosphor.
C-17 HUD: The circular faceplate of this CRT is blanked top and bottom to match the shallow prism optics in the relay. A P43 phosphor is used and the HUD was planned to have growth to a raster display but this was not installed. This part number in the reference database is wrongly attributed to EFA.
F-5 HUD: This is a conventional TUA and is cursive mode only with a P1 phosphor
F16A/B HUD: It was during this programme that the TUA became a subcontract item. The cursive only TUA uses a P1 phosphor
F-16C/D HUD: A large circular screen with a test area and using a P1 phosphor The TUA operates in raster/cursive and combined modes. 
Gulfstream HUD: A truncated CRT operating in cursive modes with a P43 phosphor
LANTIRN HUD: A truncated CRT operating in raster/cursive and combined modes with a P43 phosphor
Typhoon HUD: A truncated CRT operating in raster/cursive and combined modes with a high drive P53 phosphor

Click to enlarge