InterSense gets follow-on deal for helmet technology

InterSense Inc. was awarded a Small Business Innovation Research contract by the Army Research, Development and Engineering Command to continue work on a cockpit-helmet tracking system, according to officials from the Bedford, Mass., company.

Based on work done during the first phase of the project, the Airport & Aircraft Safety R&D Department of the Federal Aviation Administration will provide matching funds for the project's second phase, InterSense officials said.

A working prototype was built during the first phase. The next phase aims to produce a flight-ready helmet tracking system, said Eric Foxlin, InterSense founder and chief technology officer.

The Army's application calls for a system that can transition from a motion-based flight simulator to the cockpit for pilot image stabilization, improved situational awareness and weapons cueing.

FAA initially plans to deploy the helmet tracking system with pilots in emergency medical-service helicopters to enhance their awareness in adverse flight conditions.