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Technology update
Multipurpose flat panel displays
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dpiX's active-matrix liquid crystal display was incorporated into the Eagle family of multipurpose color displays.
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Kaiser Electronics, a producer of military vision systems, selected Planar Advance Inc., a division of Planar Systems Inc., and dpiX to provide it with multipurpose color displays for use on the U.S. Navy's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet strike fighter program. Kaiser Electronics is under contract with the Navy and the Boeing Company to provide the Multipurpose Color Display (MPCD) system for the F/A-18E/F aircraft. The Navy is expected to procure between 548 and 785 Super Hornets over the life of the program, with each F/A-18E using one MPCD and each F/A-18F employing two MPCDs.
Last year Planar and dpiX were awarded a $1.35 million contract by Kaiser Electronics to develop the new display subassembly for the program. "By using the unique strengths of each company, we are able to provide both military and commercial customers with cost-effective, high-performance display solutions," said Al Herman, Vice President and General Manager of Planar Advance. "The transition of the Eagle-6 (multipurpose display) development program to production for the Super Hornet again confirms the success of the Planar/dpiX business model."
The Eagle-5 was the first display in this family of multipurpose displays and is currently used by the British Aerospace Hawk 100 fighter.
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The Eagle-6 active matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD) will be designed and manufactured by dpiX and Planar Advance will integrate the drive electronics, thermal management system, and strengthen the display to meet military requirements.
The Eagle flat-panel displays deliver clear imagery, even in bright sunlight, darkness, and extreme temperatures. "With ultra-fast response times, minimal specular and diffuse reflectance, and sunlight readability, the Eagle-6 will prove reliable and accurate in the most demanding situations of engagement," said Carl Cobb, general manager of sales at dpiX. Special features—such as heaters for extremely low temperature operation, high-brightness backlights, anti-reflective glass, and rugged construction—provide for reliable performance in the most demanding conditions. Additionally, the new 6.25-in. square display will support full-motion video and will incorporate a quad-green pixel design that displays both color and higher resolution monochrome forward-looking infrared (FLIR) imagery in the same unit. For maximum tactical performance, the displays deliver 8-bit grayscale for realtime analysis of sensor imagery as well as full 24-bit color photorealism. The second in a series of high-performance displays from the Planar/dpiX team, Eagle-6 is smaller, lighter, and requires less power than CRT displays currently used in most military aircraft.
Designed and manufactured in the United States, Eagle displays can be customized for thermal management, mechanical fit and assembly, and other program-specific requirements. Optional filters, backlighting, selectable display integration levels, driver electronics, and night vision imaging system (NVIS) compatibility allow matching to specific needs and integration levels. The displays share a common electronics system architecture, which allows insertion across multiple programs.
Another military program that will incorporate the Eagle-6 MPCDs is the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, which was developed for use by military forces throughout Europe. Smiths Industries in the United Kingdom will oversee the system design and integration of the display into the aircraft's real-time information system. Sample display units for the Eurofighter Typhoon are slated for delivery to Smiths in early 1999, with production units starting in 2000.
Frank Bokulich
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