Lockheed Martin [LMT] selected BAE Systems to modernize and replace the F-22’s heads-up display (HUD) for the U.S. Air Force, BAE said Monday.
The contract calls for Britain’s BAE to use its Digital Light Engine (DLE) technology to implement a form, fit, and function HUD solution to entirely replace and integrate seamlessly into the F-22’s existing HUD space. The company also anticipates winning a follow-on production contract to retrofit the rest of the F-22 fleet with the new DLE HUD solution.
The new DLE package is compatible with existing aircraft interfaces and removes the conventional cathode ray tube image source, using a digital display source, BAE Systems said. It said the digital technology increases reliability, eliminates high-maintenance and obsolete items, and provides a constant luminance performance.
“We’ve worked closely with Lockheed Martin to deliver a completely modernized HUD solution for the F-22 fleet that meets the long-term needs of the Air Force,” Andy Humphries, director of advanced displays at BAE Systems, said in a statement.
“This new F-22 head-up display is a great example of how the F-22 industry team is integrating innovative technologies into the combat Raptor fleet. This directly supports our ongoing efforts to deliver affordable and reliable new capabilities to our Air Force customer and warfighters,” Ken Merchant, vice president of the F-22 program at Lockheed Martin, added.