More than 200 skilled jobs will be secured as BAE Systems has been awarded a £133m contract to develop its Striker® II Helmet Mounted-Display (HMD).
The jobs are based at its combat air facility in Warton, Lancashire and its Electronic Systems site in Kent.
It has been awarded by the 4-nation Eurofighter consortium – Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK – and BAE Systems engineers will improve the helmet’s capabilities alongside a programme of flight testing.
The The Striker II HMD uses the latest technologies to integrate its all-digital night vision system and daylight readable colour display. Data is displayed directly onto the pilot’s helmet visor, providing them with mission critical information right before their eyes.
“The Striker II helmet aims to give the next generation of Typhoon pilots a crucial advantage in what is an increasingly congested and contested battlespace,” said Richard Hamilton, Managing Director – Europe & International, BAE Systems Air.
“This continued investment by the Eurofighter nations secures highly skilled jobs and enables our teams to further develop the helmet’s capabilities and move it another step closer to production.”
Simon Ellard, General Manager of the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA), added:
“As the operational environment continues to evolve it is essential that we grow Eurofighter’s capabilities to meet current and future threats.
“The contract to further develop Striker II’s capabilities will ensure that the Eurofighter remains cutting edge and at the forefront of innovation.”
BAE Systems is already developing Striker II under a £40 million contract announced by the UK Ministry of Defence in September 2023, which will see the helmet undergo flight trials in the coming months.
The latest investment will fund the next stage of development.
