France, Spain to be launch customers for upgraded TopOwl helmet-mounted display
The TopOwl DD upgraded HMD will be operational first on French and Spanish NH90 helicopters before potentially being rolled out to other customers and airframe types. (Thales)
France and Spain are to be the launch customers for Thales' upgraded TopOwl, acquiring the helmet-mounted display (HMD) system for their NHIndustries (NHI) NH90 helicopters.
Briefing Janes and other defence media on 13 January, Thales officials said that the two countries have entered into a joint development programme of the TopOwl Digital Display (DD), as the enhanced version of the helmet is known. The goal is to field the TopOwl DD aboard 18 new special forces NH90s for France and an undisclosed number of the 31 new NH90s recently ordered by Spain from the end of the decade.
“It is really a joint development, led under the guidance of the French [Direction Générale de l'Armement] DGA and the Spanish [Directorate General for Armament and Material (DGAM)],” the vice-president of Flight Avionics at Thales, Florent Chauvancy, said, adding that the new helmet will be ready for fielding “from 2029, or so”.
With France and Spain acquiring the TopOwl DD helmet, the NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA) has now awarded Thales a contract to develop its advanced functions and capabilities. This contract will be conducted in partnership with NHI as the host platform prime and with Safran as the Eurofl'Eye sensor prime.
Go beyond the headlines - with direct links to interconnected entities
Get full access to validated equipment, military capabilities, and market insights.
