The HUD of 2039

Some technology trends are clear and longstanding, namely higher performance and lower-cost computer processing. Other trends are more recent, such as shorter product cycles in terms of both hardware and software, and the growing capabilities of artificial intelligence. At Gulfstream, we believe these technology trends and user preferences will manifest themselves in three key areas: smaller, lighter HUDs with larger fields of view and higher resolutions; enhanced customization of displays to better suit mission demands and user preferences; and finally, the ultimate in HUD technology: HUD on a windscreen.

The first HUD trend will be enabled by faster processors and improved optics. These should support a larger field of view with more compact optics to minimize any intrusions into the pilot’s personal space. We also expect these advancements to reduce the cost of HUDs, allowing their deployment into more flight decks, including general aviation aircraft.

Processor and optics improvements will also support enhanced display customization. For example, Gulfstream strongly believes in reducing crew workload by organizing information by phase of flight, using touchscreen controllers like those in the G500 and G600 Symmetry Flight Deck. Organizing information displayed on the HUD by phase of flight allows tailoring the display to best support the information needs of the crew for each phase of flight—without requiring repeated crew interaction with HUD controls.

Future HUDs will also support the display of multiple advanced sensors beyond today’s infrared-based camera systems, but this will require automation to maintain crew workload at an acceptable level. Finally, customization capabilities will also link with the broader goal for the aircraft to “know” a pilot’s personal preferences and automatically tailor displays to show them. All this customization and information integration will likely be powered by advanced artificial intelligence that will anticipate or respond to the crew’s information needs and push the desired information their way automatically.

The ultimate in HUD technology is really no HUD at all. Current HUDs require a piece of glass in relatively close proximity to the pilot’s eyes to display the HUD’s symbology. Projecting the HUD symbology directly on the forward windscreen would enhance pilot comfort by eliminating the psychological impact of a HUD combiner so close to the pilot’s eyes. However, the challenges of putting HUD symbology directly on the windscreen involve bending a few rules of physics. Compared to everything else I discussed here, this will likely be the most difficult to achieve.

Jeff Hausmann is Advanced Flight Deck director for Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation.