The price of helmet of this US fighter jet is more than price of a luxury flat in Mumbai, it is worth Rs.., here’s why?
Helmet That’s Worth Rs 34,366,358.80: The United States’ F-35 Lightning II fighter jet is one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world and is known for its stealth technology, electronic warfare, intelligence, and reconnaissance capabilities. The multi-role combat aircraft is specially designed for both air superiority and strike missions. Because of these qualities and features, the F-35 is used by several countries. The F-35 is a high-tech jet and relies heavily on its helmet. Its helmet is not a contemporary skull dome; on the contrary, it is equipped with modern technologies, and the pilot can operate most of the jet’s functions and features through the helmet only. The cost of the helmet is around USD 400,000 (approx. Rs 34,366,358.80), and it is made by Rockwell Collins and Elbit Systems. More expensive than a Ferrari or a luxurious flat in a posh area of Mumbai city, the helmet is a combination of precision engineering and cutting-edge optics. Let’s know more about it.
Why F-35 Fighter Jet’s Helmet Is Custom-Built Fit For Each Pilot?
The company makes custom helmets for each F-35 jet’s pilots. Pilots have to spend two or more days at a specialist facility where a team scans their head, take necessary measurements in order to ensure a precise fit. The helmet is so precise that a pilot’s minor weight gain or even a new haircut can affect its balance which ultimately affects its performance. After assembly each helmet is carefully aligned using a pupilometer to ensure the pilot sees a single, clear image with an accuracy of up to two millimeters.
Dost The F-35 Has See-Through Cockpit – 360° Vision?
Notably, the helmet of the fighter jet act as a virtual head-up display. The jet is fitted with six cameras that stream real-time video to the helmet. Known as Distributed Aperture System (DAS), this feature all-around situational awareness to the pilot, reducing the number of manoeuvres.
Does The Helmet Have Built-In Night Vision And Target Tracking Capabilities?
Unlike conventional nigh-vision goggles, the F-35’s helmet visor projects infrared images, flight data and target symbols similar to what we see in the Iran Man movie, where the suit provides all data in front of Tony Stark’s eyes.
Why So Expensive?
The cost of the helmet depends on several factors. Each helmet is custom-fitted to its pilot. Unlike other helmets, the F-35B jet’s skull dome has a high-resolution display and an advanced graphics processor that projects real time data to pilot. Built by lightweight yet strong materials such as Kevlar and carbon fibre, it is easy to wear for a longer time. Its must integrate with the fighter jet’s high-tech avionics and software. These software and avionics add complexity in manufacturing and testing these helmets. These helmets are limited, which raises their cost per unit.
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