New Visor Offers Clear Improvement
AIR FORCE RESEARCH LAB
A newly developed visor for flight helmets permits aircrew members to vary the visor’s tint from 15–65% simply by turning a knob. The visor can also adjust itself automatically as lighting conditions change and operate for many hours off of a small battery. This unprecedented capability will allow pilots to optimize their vision and enhance the visibility of helmet-mounted displays (HMDs).
Applications
- Military and Commercial Significance:
- Researchers and engineers within the Human Effectiveness Directorate’s Visual Display Systems Branch conducted a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research project with AlphaMicron, Inc. (Kent, Ohio) and developed a visor for the HGU-55/P flight helmet that varies its tint electronically.
- Although the visor’s original purpose was to increase the contrast of HMD images under bright daytime viewing conditions, it also is useful as a stand-alone alternative to conventional, fixed-tint visors. Commercial applications of the technology include sunglasses, ski goggles, and visors for motorcycle helmets.
Provenance
- Original
- https://dodtechmatch.com/dod/successstories/view.aspx?id=60122
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