F-16 aircraft flying through the air. Credit: BAE Systems.

Lockheed Martin has selected BAE Systems to upgrade head-up displays (HUD) on its F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Armed Forces.

The display modernisation project will help replace the analogue system of the multi-role fighter jet fleet with advanced digital technology.

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Installed directly in a pilot’s line of sight, the HUD is a see-through display that provides real-time, flight-critical data without obstructing the pilot’s view of the outside.

As part of the project, BAE Systems will deploy its latest and advanced digital light engine (DLE) technology to carry out the upgrade that would integrate easily into the aircraft’s existing HUD space.

With no additional changes to the aircraft, cabling or computing, the overhaul will help replace the traditional cathode ray tube image source with a digital projector. This will result in reducing lifecycle costs by 20% and provide four times the reliability of analogue systems.

“The real difference is the significant cost savings our customer will experience over the product’s lifecycle as a result of reduced maintenance and spares requirements.”

BAE Systems Advanced Displays director Andy Humphries said: “To the naked eye, the pilot sees no difference in performance when our DLE HUD is installed. It retains the existing optics, video camera, and control panel.

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“The real difference is the significant cost savings our customer will experience over the product’s lifecycle as a result of reduced maintenance and spares requirements.”

Designed to enable future advancements in symbology and video, BAE Systems’ DLE HUD features high-resolution symbology that can be viewed under any flight condition.

Last year, the digital technology was selected by the US Air Force (USAF) to upgrade the HUD on its F-22 aircraft.

With a speed of 1,500mph, the 49.3ft-long F-16 aircraft is a fourth-generation multi-role fighter jet that serves the fleet for 28 customers across the globe.