Paris 2011: Thales TopOwl Helmet Does It All
The TopOwl helmet-moun

The TopOwl helmet-mounted sight and display on show here in the Thales pavilion is in service already on five helicopter models in 16 countries. The company has delivered more than 700 copies, and says more than 1,600 will be in service over the next 10 years.

Yves Joannic, Thales v-p helicopter avionics, said the helmet was designed by pilots for pilots, combining comfort with performance and versatility. Each helmet is customized for the individual user, Joannic said, explaining that a robot scans the pilot’s head, then designs the headshell so that the center of gravity of the full helmet corresponds to that head. The design reduces neck fatigue, he claimed. Total weight is just 4.4 pounds, including optics.