Digital Light Engine Head-Up Display (HUD)

A Head-Up Display – often called a HUD – is a see-through display that sits directly in a pilot's line of sight, greatly increasing their situational awareness. The HUD system presents real-time, essential flight information overlaid onto a view of the outside world, allowing pilots to see and digest vital data faster and easier with a 'head-up, eyes-out' approach.

Many of the world's premier aircraft in service today are still outfitted with traditional analog HUDs using obsolete, high maintenance cathode ray tube (CRT) displays. But BAE Systems' Digital Light Engine (DLE) HUD is a modular upgrade that replaces out-of-date HUDs with an electro-optic digital display that increases the HUD's reliability 10 fold — the best upgrade product on the market.

Our DLE integrates into existing aircraft systems seamlessly and quickly, avoiding costly cabling and computer changes, as well as downtime. And for aircraft being upgraded to digital systems, DLE is an opportunity to simplify aircraft architecture by removing legacy analog drive systems.

Benefits of our DLE Head-Up Display (HUDs) include:

• Significant reduction of lifecycle costs, with up to 10 times the reliability of traditional analog HUDs (increased Mean Time Between Failure)
• No obsolescence and maintenance issues due to removal of conventional CRT technology
• Provides additional mission capability by supporting increased symbology and video capabilities of the future
• Backward compatibility to any existing aircraft interface, with minimal impact on display performance
• Faster upgrades – installation requires no changes to aircraft, cabling, or computing 
• Consistent luminance throughout life of equipment, with high-resolution symbology viewable under any flight conditions
• Daylight video capability and compatibility with in-service night-vision goggles

Our legacy of HUD leadership

BAE Systems has been a leader in HUD design, development, and production for more than 60 years – a position gained through continuous investment in technology and innovation. We have produced more than 15,000 head-up displays, which have been in service on more than 50 different aircraft types in more than 50 countries around the world. This includes some of the most advanced and demanding military aircraft worldwide, such as the Eurofighter Typhoon, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-22 Raptor, and more.

Learn more. Download the DLE Head-Up Display datasheet or Head-Up Displays brochure at right. Or contact our Electronic Systems business representative to arrange a meeting.