Russian HUD

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This page explains the new Heads Up Display (HUD) of the Ka-52 and Mi-28N.

Basic symbology

This is the basic symbology which appears at all times, unless otherwise noted. It shows the primary flight symbology necessary to fly the aircraft.

Altitude

The altimeter in metres is placed at the top right corner of the HUD. The numeric altitude is shown as a number at the top. Below 300 metres altitude it is radar altitude (i.e. altitude above terrain), and is followed by an R to signify this. Otherwise it is barometric altitude (i.e. altitude above sea level). The barometric altitude only has a resolution of 10M, while the radar altimeter shows altitude in 1M increments.

Below 50 metres, altitude is also shown as a vertical scale below the numeric altitude display.

Airspeed

Forward airspeed in kilometres per hour is shown numericaly at the top left corner of the HUD. When having forward airspeed the number is preceded by a

, and if flying backwards by a -. The airspeed gauge does not show sideways

airspeed.

If flying faster than 50 KPH forward airspeed, an airspeed scale which goes from 0 to 500 KPH will be drawn below the numeric display.

If flying slower than 50 KPH the airspeed scale will be replaced by a velocity vector in the centre of the HUD. This shows airspeed in two dimensions (forward/backwards and sideways) as line which gets longer with higher airspeed, pointing in the direction the helicopter is moving.

Heading

In navigation mode, compass heading is shown as heading tape at the top centre of the HUD. Headings are marked by a marker every 5 degrees, and a marker and heading number every 10 degrees (multiply number by 10 to get real heading it represents, i.e. 27 means 270° (west)). Heading to selected waypoint is marked by a little open caret below the heading tape, while current heading is marked by a solid caret.

Vertical velocity

Vertical velocity in kilometre per hour is shown as number on the right side of the HUD, halfway down. If gaining altitude it is preceded by a , otherwise a -. If in navigation mode a scale is also drawn below the numeric velocity.

G-meter

In navigation mode a scale is drawn on the lower left side of the HUD, showing the G-forces the helicopter is currently experiencing. The scale goes from -1 to 3.5 Gs. 1 G is normal gravitational force.

Aircraft datum and bank scale

The aircraft datum in the centre of the HUD show how much bank (roll) the aircraft has. When rolling left, the datum banks to the left, and vice versa. Marks below and to the side of the datum shows bank angles of 0°, 30° and 60°.

Pitch ladder

The entire centre of the HUD is filled with the pitch ladder. The position of the datum marks what pitch angle the helicopter currently has. The ladder moves up and down as pitch changes, but stays fixed in roll (as opposed to US helicopters were the ladder rolls).

Waypoint information

At the bottom centre of the HUD, in navigation mode, the name and range (in kilometres) to the next waypoint is shown.

Weapons mode symbology

Hokum weapon mode HUD

Weapons mode symbology is drawn in addition to the basic symbology. Exactly what weapons symbology is shown differs between sighting modes, if you have a target locked or not and which weapon is selected.

Target marker

The target marker isn't actually drawn on the HUD, but rather on the helmet mounted sight. So you'll be able to see the target marker as long as you have your head pointed in the direction of the target. The target marker is simply a small circle around the target. In addition a second circle outside the marker shows range to the target. This circle unwinds counter clockwise as range decrease. Maximum and minimum range of the selected weapon is marked with line markers.

Helmet mounted sight

Once again, this isn't drawn on the HUD, but on the helmet mounted sight. It is only shown when the helmet is used for targeting and then it is always in the centre of the view. The sight is a fairly large circle. If the targeting computer finds a target in the direction you're looking a second circle is drawn around the normal circle. If the target in addition is within weapons constraints of the current weapon, then four small line marks are drawn on top of the circles.

Target information

At the bottom centre of the HUD is range to target (in kilometres). If you are within minimum range of the selected weapon a huge break-X will be displayed across the centre of the HUD.

If you have co-pilot target ID enabled, then that will be displayed below the range.

Weapon status

Along the lower left edge of the HUD (where the G-force meter is in navigation mode), weapon status is listed. At the top is the type of the currently selected weapon: HE for 2A42 cannon with high explosive ammunition AP for 2A42 cannon with armour piercing ammunition MSL for guided missiles (Vikhr) ATA for air to air missiles (Igla) RKT for S-8 and S-13 rockets GUN for the GSh-23 gun pods

Below this is the lock status of the selected weapon. Guided weapons should only be fired when this is "LOCK".

Note that the HUD does not display the quantity of weapons remaining, use the MFD to check quantity.

Cannon constraint box

When the 2A42 cannon is selected a box is drawn in the HUD which shows the limits of the cannons travel. If you have a target selected, you mush place it inside this box for the cannon to be able to hit the target. And if you're using the head to aim the cannon (with no target locked), you have to once again make sure you aim within the box.

Firing guided missiles

For guided missiles you only have to make sure you're in range and that the missile constraints are met (check that you have "LOCK" along the left edge of the HUD). If the missile is a Vikhr you will also get a time until impact timer (in seconds) at the lower left edge of the HUD.

There is one other thing you should watch out for. You might be within constraints, but still the missile hits terrain before reaching the target. This can be caused by either you're helicopter being pitched downwards, so that the missile doesn't have time to change direction before it hits the ground. Or it might be because the sight is positioned at the top of the rotor, while the missile is positioned further down, so that the sight might have a clear line of sight while the missile does not. So make sure you have a clear line of sight straight ahead of you before fire.

Unguided rocket and gun sight

The gun pods and rockets only fire straight ahead. When one of these weapons is selected a circle is displayed which shows where the rockets/guns will hit. Although it's not quite as easy as this, as gravity affects the rockets and bullets, pulling them towards the earth more the farther they travel. So if the target is far away aim a little above the target.