BAE unveils lightweight LiteWave head-up display

10 May 2022

HUD for commercial and military pilots is 70% smaller and 80% faster to install.

LiteWave is a laptop-sized HUD developed by BAE Systems, which is designed to be mounted above a pilot’s head to present critical information, such as direction, altitude and speed, directly in their line of sight.

Being 70% smaller and lighter than a traditional HUD, LiteWave can be fitted in aircraft – whether civilian or military – with even the most limited cockpit space, BAE says; it’s also up to 80% faster to install and its simple design makes maintenance quicker and cheaper, says the developer.

Powered by BAE’s patented waveguide technology, LiteWave can be adjusted to suit any individual flying position and allows the pilot to maintain optimal situational awareness, even during poor weather or at night.

“LiteWave can be fitted into virtually any cockpit in the world”, said Lee Tomlinson, director of HUD products at BAE Systems’ Electronic Systems business. “Our engineers have created a digital display that is smaller, lighter and uses less power than any other HUD.”

LiteWave is now available to begin flight trials for future customers on commercial and military aircraft. The HUD is manufactured at BAE’s Electronic Systems site in Rochester, UK, which has innovated and invested in cockpit displays for over 60 years.

The location has produced more than 15,000 HUDs, which are in service on more than 50 different aircraft types globally, such as the Eurofighter Typhoon, F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-22 Raptor.

Software to configure networks for ‘mission-critical’ comms

In another announcement this week, BAE has received a $24 million contract from the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop software to autonomously configure tactical networks for mission-critical communications as part of the Mission-Integrated Network Control (MINC) program.

The MINC program seeks to build and demonstrate an integrated, advanced capability that creates a secure communications network to support multi-domain operations. BAE’s FAST Labs research and development organization will develop the algorithms and software to configure, and control available resources to optimize the flow of information.

“Secure and adaptable multi-domain communications have never been more important,” commented Brian Decleene, chief scientist at FAST Labs. “As a result of this program, we’ll enable the operator to deliver the right information to the right user at the right time across multiple domains and improve mission outcome.”