The F-35 Joint Program Office on 10 October 2013 announced the decision to halt development of the alternate F-35 pilot helmet and focus exclusively on maturing the Rockwell Collins Elbit Systems of America Vision Systems Generation 2 helmet currently used by F-35 pilots. In 2011, program and industry officials acknowledged that there were technical issues facing the principal helmet system. To ensure viable capability was available when needed, the program began a dual-path development plan in the event Gen 2 helmet maturity issues could not be resolved. BAE Systems began developing the alternate helmet in September 2011. A third generation helmet featuring an improved night vision camera, new liquid crystal displays, automated alignment, and software enhancements is in work.
