HOW THE FORMER SOVIET UNION AC QUIRED THE "HELMET MOUNTED SIGHT" FOR THEIR AIR FORCE: Wolfgang Witschas

89. https://www.politicsweb.co.za/opinion/margaretthatcher-niel-barnard-and-the-end-of-apar

HOW THE FORMER SOVIET UNION ACQUIRED THE "HELMET MOUNTED SIGHT" FOR THEIR AIR FORCE

By Wolfgang Witschas

BACKGROUND

A helmet-mounted display (HMD) is a device used in aircraft to project information to the pilot's eyes. Its scope is similar to that of head-up displays (HUD) on an aircrew's visor or reticle. An HMD provides the pilot with situation awareness and an enhanced image of the scene. In military applications it cues weapons systems to the direction the pilot’s head is pointing. Applications which allow cuing of weapon systems are referred to as helmet-mounted sight and display (HMSD) or helmet-mounted sights (HMS).

SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE (SAAF)

Since 1975, the French-built Dassault Mirage F1AZ fighters of the South African Air Force (SAAF) used a locally developed helmet-mounted sight integrated with the Armscor V3A Kukri short range infra red dogfight heat seeking air to air missile. This enabled the pilot to make off-bore attacks, without having to maneuverer to the optimum firing position. The SAAF was the first Air Force to fly operationally with this type of systems. After the South African system had been proven in combat, playing a role in downing Soviet fighter aircraft (Mig 21s and 23s) over Angola, the Soviets embarked on a “crash programme” to counter the technology. As a result, the MiG-29 was fielded in 1985 with an HMD and a high off-boresight weapon (R-73), giving them an advantage in close in maneuvering engagements.

ESPIONAGE

The “crash program” the Soviets embarked on, was actually as a result of a SAAF helmet that had been obtained and handed over by Dieter Gerhardt, former SA Navy Commodore (now admiral) and then spy for Soviet Military Intelligence,