[Lots of discussion about the new military helmet omitted.]
> . How much does the HUD limit peripheral vision?
Built into a helmet? Lots. Find out how many military Helos have crashed
at night because the pilot was wearing a 'night vision system', and ran
into a power line or something equally pathetic. Imagine a soldier wearing
this thing, crashing around in the brush, because he keeps tripping over
roots he can't see very well.
> . Does it connect to night-vision equipment?
An NVS is maginally useful for pilots (see above), and more useful for
a stationary spotter (like a sentry or sniper). For a person trying to
move around on foot, it's probably not much more than dead weight.
> What's the real advantage to the nation that possesses this equipment,
> both militarily and economically?
Maybe less than you think. (Picture this: high-tech 21st century ground-
pounder stumbles around half-blind while Afghani Mujahadeen (sic) creep
up out of their foxholes and slip a sharp knife into his shrapnel-stopping
Kevlar vest.)
Sorry, Mark, but you're way off base on this. As a former
"practicing" infantryman, I think it has been a while since you've
used night vision gear. The primary factor to consider when you're a
grunt humping in the bush at night is that you can't see ANYTHING
anyway; take it from me -- having to turn your head to see the root in
shades of green beats the hell out of tripping over it when you can't
see your hand in front of your face. Modern low-light NVS goggles are
fine for driving and MUCH more than adequate for walking. Admittedly,
helo pilots do have a problem, but flying takes a HELL of a lot more
peripheral vision than walking. When we get the thermal sights they
use on AFV's down to a reasonable size, things will be even better. I
expect they would equip everyone with the things now except for the
cost and battery problems.
As for radios, most infantry squad and team NCO's carry at least a
radio receiver now. The military really got ripped on these things --
we used to go out and buy the Radio Shack voice-activated radios `cause
the issue ones were so bad. Having everyone in the platoon on the
same frequency but only allowing the leaders to transmit would be a
substantial advantage.
If they do a decent job on the design, these helmets could be a real
"Good Thing". Picture the Afghani with his knife being drilled at 200
meters by the infantryman with adequate night vision. :)
Regards,
Roger Opperman