BAE Introduces ‘Q-HUD’ Display

BAE Systems introduced its “Q-HUD” head-up display at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention Monday, calling the waveguide optics technology a revolutionary advance.

Compared to conventional HUDs, which use lenses to project an image on the combiner glass in front of a pilot, Q-HUD optics are generated within the combiner. The system eliminates the standard overhead projector unit, reducing overall weight, size and complexity. The display design also allows far greater head movement within a so-called “head motion box.”

Development of Q-HUD, considered part of the company’s Q-Sight family of helmet-mounted displays, began in 2004. BAE is targeting the product for the air-transport, regional and business jet markets, and anticipates it will enter service in 2010.

BAE says the Q-HUD display of navigation and flight symbology will enable takeoffs at 300-foot runway visual range. The system provides approach guidance and deceleration cues for added safety at non-ILS runways, making overrun landings less likely. It is designed to accept enhanced or synthetic vision interfaces.