Objective
This project will develop and demonstrate a manufacturing process to assemble an
organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display into the existing optical train of the
F-35 helmet-mounted display system (HMDS). Government Accountability Office
(GAO) report 18-321 (June 2018) stated that the current liquid crystal display
(LCD) on F-35 exhibits a characteristic “green glow” during low-light flights, which
makes it difficult for the pilot to see the full resolution of the night vision video
feed. The GAO report concludes that “Organic light-emitting diode displays avoid
this effect by only illuminating the active pixels.” To make the OLED technology
affordable, this project is reducing part count, total parts cost, and touch labor in the
manufacture of OLED HMDS.
Payoff
In addition to technical performance improvements, this project will demonstrate
cost savings in assembly time and parts handling: part count is projected to be
reduced by 27 percent, and touch time labor is projected to be reduced by 10
percent through improved tooling concepts. The projected savings are a 21-percent
reduction in cost per HMDS, for a total program savings of over $40M. The return
on investment is 7.1:1.
Implementation
This ManTech project is integral to the initial operational capability (IOC) for the
F-35C, which is scheduled to be achieved in early 2019. A quantity of 62 OLED
flight helmets have been ordered for IOC trials. F-35 prime contractor Lockheed
Martin has planned additional qualification testing, which will take the helmet to
a Release Authorization Notice 6 production helmet in 2019.
https://www.nsamcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/2019-Navy-ManTech-ProjectBook.pdf

 
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