The DASH System

The DASH system calibrates the Heads Up Display (HUD) and the Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) in the F-15 and F-16 respectively. This system is used anywhere that these aircraft fly worldwide and is the only one of its kind currently approved for use. Spectron offers complete systems for purchase, and ongoing maintenance of the system for its lifetime.

What is the DASH system for?

When pilots fly the F-15 they use a Heads Up Display (HUD) to navigate, keep track of targets, and stay aware of other critical flight information such as speed, altitude, and fuel. This HUD system is mounted in the cockpit at eye level for the pilot so they do not have to look aware from their controls. Pilots flying the F-16 use a similar display that is mounted directly into their helmet and referred to as a Helmet Mounted Display (HMD). Both the HUD and the HMD systems must be recalibrated after every flight to ensure that it is showing the pilot accurate information. The DASH system is what is used to calibrate these systems.

Core DASH System

The DASH system is made up of a camera which is held in the transport, the controller, and the stroke generator. All of these components work together with different software packages to calibrate the HUD or HMD on the F-15 and the F-16.

DASH Camera and Transport Modules

The DASH System’s camera module is made up of a high quality, auto focus, photo-diode matrix array camera. Depending on the specific unit’s purpose this camera may have one or more lenses. The unit is precision controlled using the transport module with the factory calibrated and corrected focal plane of the photo-diode matrix detector within the camera. This allows the camera to function as an automated theodolite and an imaging micro photometer. The camera is thoroughly tested to have zero defective pixels; photometric linearity; and each pixel in the detector is calibrated and corrected for dark sensitivity errors. The camera is affixed with a color filter (red, green, and blue) which allows the DASH system to to measure the color convergence and color purity of the display. The camera detector is also thermostabilized which further improves the repeatability of the results of the DASH system.

The Transport precisely moves and secures the camera through a calibrated mechanism that uses two motor/disc assemblies on the horizontal and vertical axes to control the altitudinal and azimuth angles of the camera. This measures and characterizes a HUD or CRT image. The motor/disc assembly in the transport use a friction drive concept that employs a two motor anti backlash design for precise angular movement. This mechanism moves the camera automatically in a pre-programmed test pattern that typically oversamples the display image in all areas of interest.

DASH Controller

The controller allows all of the components on the DASH system to work together. It uses a micro processor based dedicated controller, firmware, RAM memory, analog and digital sections, power amplifiers, and video and data communications capability.

DASH Accessories

The DASH system can be equipped with additional accessories at the time of its build to perform additional functions. This includes the specific fixturing needed by the customer and can also include a Gun Camera Imager (GCI), stroke generator, and a Direct View Alignment Tool. These accessories can be discussed when at the time of order and can be customized to almost any specific need of the user.