Typhoon flying helmet?

[Tiger_mate]

Saw this photo on UKAR. Having never seen a flying helmet with lumps and bumps like this before and therefore wondering if this is standard kit? If so, why the need for the bumps? All looks very unusual.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x230/lev_67/0ffb429a.jpg

>Doffs anorak and makes quick getaway whilst looking over shoulder in the hope of getting a sensible answer<

Pic taken at Warton by "Lev67" UKAR Forum.

[A2QFI]

The warty bit looks like something that has been added to the outer surface of the shell and there is a fairly thick cable of some sort going into it, at the back. Could it be some sensor(s) for computing head position for some weapon aiming gizmo? Best guess but sensible - I hope!

[c130jbloke]

Or that's their head and they are just **** ugly :}:}

[green granite]

It's a spare brain.

[Bo Nalls]

Plenty of hits on google for this helmet. Try BAE Helmet Equipment Assembly (HEA).

[6Z3]

I believe it's a hair net.

[nacluv]

"Read all about it!" (http://www.baesystems.com/Newsroom/NewsReleases/autoGen_10751513751.html)

[22/7 Master]

Plenty of limps and bumps on the helmet, but no knobs, they are below the helmets!

[Gary Lager]

"Think in Russian! Think in Russian!"

[Jackonicko]

For head tracking. It's the HEA, which isn't yet in squadron use.

[sycamore]

Actually it`s to reduce drag when running to jump into the jet on`Q`!

[PPRuNeUser0211]

Sycamore - is that not achieved by securely attaching one's maps before running to the jet!

[Stitchbitch]

It's gonna be grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat :} Until I take it apart for the first time. Then it's gonna be ferrrrrrrrrrrrrked.:ok:

[Pure Pursuit]

Ooh PBA,

that's a low blow!

In fairness, he was probably used to his Nav carrying the maps!

Funny video though:ok:

[PICKS135]

It's gonna be grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat Until I take it apart for the first time. Then it's gonna be ferrrrrrrrrrrrrked.

Poor squipper. Get a brew. Pull up a sandbag and let me tell you about, replacing the lining of a 3C 3 times as I kept puting the wrong loops through the cord.:ugh::ugh:

[Madbob]

Reminds me of that joke aimed at Range Rover drivers.....

Q: "Whats the difference between a Typhoon pilot and a hedgehog?"

A: "With a hedgehog the pricks are on the OUTSIDE!"....:ok:

MB

[Tarnished]

The bumps are a set of cunningly positioned LEDs as Jacko says for head tracking. Three cameras aound the cockpit detect them and do some very clever trig to decuce the exact position and orientation of the helmet within the cockpit. In turn, because the fit of the helmet and the positioning of the optics is fixed, the displayed symbology can then be drawn so that it is correctly positioned with respect to the real outside world. Position of the head/helmet and therefore pilot's line of sight is also used to drive the missile, IRST and radar for rapid lock and shoot.

A beauty of this sort of tracking system as opposed to magnetic systems is that it is not affected when you bring your metal lunch box into the cockpit, or for Dave fans, are catapulted by a huge electro magnet...

Tarnished

[Pure Pursuit]

Looks a little heavy?

[Stitchbitch]

Feels mediumly heavy. Picks135, 3C? You should have seen what G+10 was wearing when he first came in...:}

[PICKS135]

Feels mediumly heavy. Picks135, 3C? You should have seen what G+10 was wearing when he first came in...

Very long time ago. When the SWO at Lossie/ISK was a CPL [G.P.] on 3 flt

[SirToppamHat]

Tarnished wrote:A beauty of this sort of tracking system as opposed to magnetic systems is that it is not affected when you bring your metal lunch box into the cockpit
However, if the pilot sneezes whilst the missile is in flight ... (and God help him if he gets hiccups!);)

STH