0004397: IHADSS Helmet - RHS Feedback

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Summary	0004397: IHADSS Helmet

Revision	2018-08-17 18:02 by ricnunes
Description	The latest implementations on the AH-64D Apache helicopter with update 0.4.6 makes the AH-64D almost unplayable in some situations specially during night time. One of the main reasons for this is the recent "IHADSS Helmet" implementation. Below I'll describe this with more detail. Despite the new IHADSS implementation looks very interesting at first glance I must say (and sorry for this) that in practical terms it doesn't work well and neither it is more realistic than the "vanilla" HMD implementations or the IHADSS implementation in the previous versions of RHS and this is why: 1- IHADSS is not an helmet! IHADSS, more precisely the IHADSS HDU (which is the monocular device that transmits flight data and night vision to the pilot) is a device that's attached to an helmet and not the helmet. Look here: https://www.militaryaerospace.com/content/dam/mae/online-articles/2015/February/Apache%20helmet%2016%20Feb%202015.jpg [^] This is the IHADSS HDU: http://www.flightgear.dk/pic/hidss.jpg [^] This latest image clearly shows that the HDU in not the Helmet. More precisely, the IHADSS HDU is a device that is attached and comes with the helicopter and not (directly) with the helmet. Or resuming, the IHADSS HDU is something that can be easily attached (and detached) to any helmet. 2- When using IHADSS night vision, IHADSS stops showing the flight and targeting information (there's no flight/target information overlaying the termal imagery). Moreover, the black and white termal imagery is horrible for navigation. All of this makes night time navigation which is one of IHADSS main features/purposes totally useless, I'm afraid. I would advise using either the green termal imagery or perhaps and better yet, the "standard NVG" imagery as a placeholder. And of course the flight/targeting information should always be present even when the night vision is enabled. 3- Related to the previous points, with the current implementation it is impossible to attach Night Vision Googles (NVGs) to the helmet. If this would be possible (like it is in real life, see image below) at least it would partially fix problem 2- Attaching and using NVGs alternatively with IHADSS is possible and often used operationally as it can be seen in the photo below: https://c8.alamy.com/comp/D4WNED/a-pilot-equipped-with-night-vision-goggles-in-the-cockpit-of-an-ah-D4WNED.jpg [^] So technically any helmet can be fitted with IHADSS which IMO contradicts a bit the new feature of having a dedicated helmet for using IHADSS. But if this "strategy" is to be followed in the future than I would advise to let the player to be able to attach NVGs to the "IHADSS helmet" - this at least would partially solve problems 2- and 3-

Revision	2018-08-17 18:03 by ricnunes
Description	The latest implementations on the AH-64D Apache helicopter with update 0.4.6 makes the AH-64D almost unplayable in some situations specially during night time hence why I categorized this issue report as "major". One of the main reasons for this is the recent "IHADSS Helmet" implementation. Below I'll describe this with more detail. Despite the new IHADSS implementation looks very interesting at first glance I must say (and sorry for this) that in practical terms it doesn't work well and neither it is more realistic than the "vanilla" HMD implementations or the IHADSS implementation in the previous versions of RHS and this is why: 1- IHADSS is not an helmet! IHADSS, more precisely the IHADSS HDU (which is the monocular device that transmits flight data and night vision to the pilot) is a device that's attached to an helmet and not the helmet. Look here: https://www.militaryaerospace.com/content/dam/mae/online-articles/2015/February/Apache%20helmet%2016%20Feb%202015.jpg [^] This is the IHADSS HDU: http://www.flightgear.dk/pic/hidss.jpg [^] This latest image clearly shows that the HDU in not the Helmet. More precisely, the IHADSS HDU is a device that is attached and comes with the helicopter and not (directly) with the helmet. Or resuming, the IHADSS HDU is something that can be easily attached (and detached) to any helmet. 2- When using IHADSS night vision, IHADSS stops showing the flight and targeting information (there's no flight/target information overlaying the termal imagery). Moreover, the black and white termal imagery is horrible for navigation. All of this makes night time navigation which is one of IHADSS main features/purposes totally useless, I'm afraid. I would advise using either the green termal imagery or perhaps and better yet, the "standard NVG" imagery as a placeholder. And of course the flight/targeting information should always be present even when the night vision is enabled. 3- Related to the previous points, with the current implementation it is impossible to attach Night Vision Googles (NVGs) to the helmet. If this would be possible (like it is in real life, see image below) at least it would partially fix problem 2- Attaching and using NVGs alternatively with IHADSS is possible and often used operationally as it can be seen in the photo below: https://c8.alamy.com/comp/D4WNED/a-pilot-equipped-with-night-vision-goggles-in-the-cockpit-of-an-ah-D4WNED.jpg [^] So technically any helmet can be fitted with IHADSS which IMO contradicts a bit the new feature of having a dedicated helmet for using IHADSS. But if this "strategy" is to be followed in the future than I would advise to let the player to be able to attach NVGs to the "IHADSS helmet" - this at least would partially solve problems 2- and 3-