The helmet, named Eyeball, is equipped with mounted sights. A tiny
camera follows the pilot's pupil and locks on-board weapons onto the
pilot's line of sight and provides displays to the pilot regardless
of where he is looking.
The helmet has passed all development stages and was successfully
tested by Israeli F-16 pilots. The Rafael helmet has several
advantages over its competing Elbit helmet. Rafael's helmet, at 1.3
kg, is half the weight of Elbit's and it does not require integration
between the helmet and the cockpit. The Rafael helmet is expected to
cost between one-third to one-half the price of the competing Elbit
system.
In Bangalore, Rafael also presented an innovative air defense system
which it is offering to the Indian Air Force. It is based on the
conversion of Python 5 and Derby air-to-air missiles into
anti-aircraft missiles. The operational range of the Spider system is
15 km. The system includes a control cabin and radar system. Israel
Aircraft Industries participated in developing the radar system.
Company officials said that the system had passed the early stage of
the IAF's $350 million air defence system tender, beating companies
from Russia and South Africa.
Rafael's profitable missile division registered $450 million in sales
in 2004 and $500 million in orders. The division employs 1,500
workers. Rafael executives believe that the helmet's earnings
potential to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Pilots in all
types of fighter jets and helicopters will be able to use the helmet.
Rafael Israel Armaments Development of Israel has unveiled a helmet,
nicknamed "mind reader", at the recently held Aero India exhibition
at Bangalore, India.