Evaluation and lessons learned through the developmental test of the AH-1W helicopter Helmet Display and Tracker System

Developmental testing (DT) of the Helmet Display and Tracker System (HDTS) as installed on the United States Marine Corps (USMC) AH-1W attack helicopter was conducted to evaluate its performance and effectiveness for the attack helicopter mission. Developmental testing of the HDTS helmet mounted display system (HMDS) as a replacement for the legacy Helmet Sight Subsystem (HSS) and Gideon Aviators Night Vision Imaging System Head-Up Display (ANVIS HUD) was conducted November 2010-July 2011 in the Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Maryland local area. HDTS system accuracy, 20mm gun weapon delivery accuracy (WDA), weapons compatibility with Hellfire and 2.75 inch rockets, and human factors were evaluated under mission representative profiles. HDTS demonstrated a number of improvements and increases in capability over the legacy HSS: the capability to boresight the system in the aircraft provided significantly increased convenience over the legacy system; the elimination of the obsolete rail linkage system improved head mobility and increased aircrew safety; the accurate pilot line-of-sight improved 20-mm gun weapon delivery accuracy; and the HDTS symbol set offered significantly increased “heads-up” capability to greatly improve situational awareness in the battlefield. The HDTS demonstrated satisfactory performance for the USMC Attack helicopter mission; however completion of its developmental test series included overcoming numerous aircraft integration, hardware integration, human factors, and system performance issues. The process of addressing these issues and making warranted system re-designs, molded the HDTS into a highly suitable and desirable system for the AH-1W. This paper will address the HDTS developmental test and evaluation methodology including innovative test techniques using an unmanned aerial system (UAS) for range scoring, discuss improvements afforded as well as issues that generally plague HMDS experienced with HDTS, and highlight lessons learned during the system's growth through developmental testing.