Through technological updates and kit upgrades like the Scorpion HMD kit, the Air Force seeks to extend the useful service life of the F-22 as it debates its replacement.
F-22 Raptor stealth fighter jet pilots are getting a new high-tech helmet that will make them even deadlier in the skies.
Starting with the Hawaii Air National Guard, F-22 Raptor pilots will now be able to wear a Scorpion Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) that can increase their reaction time and effectiveness in combat situations.
The Scorpion Helmet Meets the F-22 Raptor
The new helmet is set to enter service with the broader F-22 Raptor community soon.
The 199th Fighter Squadron is the first to introduce the Scorpion HMD. Although other F-22 Raptor units have announced similar plans, it is very likely that the technology will be adopted by the rest of the fleet as there is a recognized capability gap.
So, what makes the Scorpion HMD better than the current helmets? Most notably, the new helmet is not limited to black-and-white depictions, and can project to the pilot full-color scenes. In a stressful combat environment with multiple visual and audio cues, such a small change can make a big difference and increase a pilot’s reaction time. Moreover, the Scorpion HMD helps with more efficient weapons targeting and navigation. And Thales’ helmet can leverage augmented reality to paint a better picture of the battlefield for the pilot.
The War Zone was the first to report the development.
The F-22 Raptor: Aging But Still Strong
The F-22 Raptor is the most capable air superiority fighter jet in the world. Although it entered its second decade this year, the stealth fighter jet remains a powerful asset for the U.S. Air Force. Through technological updates and kit upgrades like the Scorpion HMD kit, the Air Force seeks to extend the useful service life of the aircraft as it debates its replacement. In recent years, Congress has authorized billions of dollars to modernize the F-22 Raptor fleet and ensure that it is in the best possible condition to take on Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific.
The introduction of Thales’ Scorpion HMD to the F-22 community comes at a time when the high-tech helmet is set to replace the older Joint Helmet Mounted Cuing System (JHMCS) in the F-16 Fighting Falcon fleet. The Air Force announced a contract to phase out the JHMCS in the F-16C/D Block 40/42 and Block 50/52 versions and replace it with the Scorpion HMD.
“This contract, issued by the USAF utilizing the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), is the first of several anticipated delivery orders to modernize the USAF fleet of F-16s with more interoperable technology,” Thales said in a press statement.
“The contract arrangement also allows a procurement option for any F-16 NATO partner to modernize with Scorpion kit capability. Initial kits are anticipated to be delivered to the USAF in early 2025,” the aerospace defense company added.
The Air Force eventually plans for all of its F-16 squadrons to be equipped with the Scorpion HMD, something that could help down the line with a more integrated F-22 fleet.
About the Author: Stavros Atlamazoglou
Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.
Image: Shutterstock / peterfz30.
