Vision Systems Intl. announced Monday that the F-35 Gen II Helmet Mounted Display System had flown on the F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing variant of the new strike fighter. “The most advanced helmet mounted display system in the world flew a very successful flight,” said VSI president Drew Brugal. The new system, he said, provides “unmatched situational awareness” presented in a “wide-field of view display format.” Brugal added that the Gen II heads-up display “replaces traditional HUD systems and gives the pilot precise, stable symbology in the forward cone and a seamless transition to mission critical symbology in the remaining field of regard.” VSI, formed by Rockwell Collins and Elbit Systems in 1996, has a Gen II low-rate initial production contract with F-35 prime contractor Lockheed Martin and has production tooling and initial funding contracts for the joint training center standup at Eglin AFB, Fla. (Rockwell Collins release)
The Air Force and Boeing agreed to a nearly $2.4 billion contract for a new lot of KC-46 aerial tankers on Nov. 21. The deal, announced by the Pentagon, is for 15 new aircraft in Lot 11 at a cost of $2.389 billion—some $159 million per tail.