The U.S. Navy now wants Lockheed Martin's helmet-mounted displays. The defense branch will use the technology to enhance F-35 fighter jets. But, how will these benefit pilots? 

US Navy Wants Lockheed Martin's Helmet-Mounted Displays

(Photo: George Frey/Getty Images) A pilot sits in the cockpit of an F-35 fighter jet preparing for a training mission at Hill Air Force Base on March 15, 2017, in Ogden, Utah. Hill is the first Air Force base to get combat-ready F-35s. They currently have 17 that might be deployed in the fight against terrorism and ISIS in the near future.

According to Military Aerospace Electronics, the U.S. Navy will get two production slots from Lockheed Martin. 

This will be under the $347 million contract, which was announced on Monday, Aug. 21. Specifically, the Lockheed Martin Corp. Aeronautics segment in Fort Worth will be used. 

Officials of the Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., said that this segment will be used for production lots 15 and 16 of the third-gen helmet-mounted displays for F-35s. 

The Naval Technology reported that the new partnership between the U.S. Navy and Lockheed Martin is expected to be completed in December 2026. 

The deal is essential for the U.S. military because it is expected to greatly contribute to the continued development of the advanced F-35 fighter aircraft. 

As of writing, the F-35 program of the U.S. military involves numerous partners across different levels. These include those in Australia, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, etc.  

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Lockheed Martin Helmet-Mounted Displays' Importance 

(Photo : BO AMSTRUP/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images)
A US F-35 fighter jet is pictured during an event of the US Air Force visiting with five US F-35 fighter jets at the Danish Airbase Fighter Wing Skrydstrup in Jutland, Denmark, on March 10, 2023. - The visit is taking place as part of the preparations for the first Danish F-35 fighter jets to arrive in Denmark in the autumn of 2023.

Lockheed Martin's advanced third-generation helmet-mounted displays are essential for the development of the F-35. 

This technology combines HUD (head-up display), visor-protected night vision, and the helmet-mounted display. 

It will allow pilots to maintain advanced spatial orientation and target weapons while monitoring critical information. 

Experts said that the helmet-mounted displays will enable F-35 pilots to see through the bottom of the jet's fuselage or at a target to experience high-level spatial orientation, tactical superiority, and superior weapons targeting. 

The technology can do this during the day and night. Aside from this, the helmet-mounted displays will also give uninterrupted displays of flight information and sensor data to F-35 pilots. 

These are just some of the benefits that the U.S. military can get from Lockheed Martin's innovation. You can click here to learn more.  

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