Chinese J-20 fighter pilot's multimedia helmet is 4 times cheaper than the F-35 pilot's helmet: one of the reasons is rare earth metals

New images of the fifth generation Chinese fighter (in the Chinese classification - 4th) J-20 have appeared. More precisely, we are talking about an updated modification of this fighter - the J-20A. This image confirms the information that in the updated versions of the new generation Chinese combat aircraft, basic information about the flight parameters, as well as about the goals, the readiness of weapons for use, is displayed on the tablet screen, which is located at the pilot's feet.

The Chinese designers have previously emphasized that the J-20A differs from the J-20 (basic version) in the "filling" of the cockpit. There is nothing superfluous in the updated modifications of the Chinese-made fighter in the cockpit. In addition to the tablet, information is projected onto the multimedia helmet. By the way, it is on him that special attention is paid today in the world of modern digital combat equipment. aviation.

The fact is that China today has an advantage in terms of having a whole series of rare earth metals used in the field of high technologies. By and large, China today is almost the only country in the world that has entered the full cycle of working with rare earth metals. They are mined in it and brought to the final "product". And this bringing to the final product is a technology that requires huge costs. One of these "products" is the most important elements of the very same multimedia helmet for the pilot J-20 (J-20A).

Based on the fact that China has this cycle and Beijing does not need to import materials, for example, for nano-alloying, a modern multimedia pilot's helmet costs about 4 times less than an American F-35 pilot's helmet. And this is ensured, as noted, among other things, by China's advantage in the field of rare earth metals.

Recall that initially the American helmet was estimated at 750 thousand dollars. Now its price has decreased slightly, but it continues to remain sky-high - $ 460 thousand. The Chinese MM-helmet is estimated at about $ 118 thousand. At the same time, the PLA Air Force claims that its functionality today is "maximum possible" for the convenience of piloting a stealth fighter. In particular, a special coating is applied to the "visor" of the helmet, which allows achieving optimal response time, which contributes to a more efficient display of changes in actual data on flight modes. The Americans have to import the lion's share of the volume of rare earth metals (REM) from China. Some time ago, the Pentagon noted that Beijing could take advantage of this situation and, by blocking the sale of rare earth metals, deprive the United States of critically important raw materials.

Comments

[Cowbra]

And it seems to me that the main reason is the incomparable cost of working time. In China and the USA. And also the fact that on defense orders in the United States they traditionally steal like this - as much as a guy costs

[Shahno]

Yes, no comparable. Considering where the helmet was made. Rehovot is not the poorest place in Europe.

[Civil]

Well done communists, what do you say ...

[Shahno]

Are you talking about Zhibotinsky?

[amr]

by this logic in the cost of the helmet, 90% of the cost of rare earth metal ???

It seems to me that 90% of the cost of a helmet is technology, know-how, etc. ... and the materials from which they are made are absolutely not those numbers!

In principle, like quality, of course, all electronics are now made by the Chinese, for example iPhones - but development, filling with a software product is not a drop of China, just the Chinese Ali-Express is indicative of this!

in principle, as in the issue of engines for fighters, such as Chinese engines are the same as ours, simply cheaper, because their metal is cheaper!

[Mountain shooter]

Quote: amr

by this logic in the cost of the helmet, 90% of the cost of rare earth metal ???

Of course no. The cost of materials in the cost of high-tech products is negligible, no matter how much they cost in par. The article is somehow "one-sided", and not correct ...

[AlexeyEg]

Some nonsense is written. Rare earth materials in the composition of the helmet are fractions of a gram, which is incomparable with the cost of the helmet.

[Oleg Olkha]

And the Israeli concern Elbit has enough of its rare earths extracted from the phosphates of the Dead Sea, for their own helmets in the F-35 ...

[Boa kaa]

Rare earth metals are the Achilles' heel of the United States. A Chinese arrow will fall into it, chaining Achilles to the battlefield ...
But I was more impressed by the placement of the "tablet" at the pilot's feet. Is it convenient? Over long distances, it is possible. But for short ones?

[Cowbra]

They seemed to have a knee pad all the way. It's just that now instead of paper - electronic

[Alien From]

The tablet at the pilot's feet was also somewhat embarrassing. And about the helmets, the Chinese have to envy.

[Boa kaa]

Quote: Alien From

And about the helmets, the Chinese have to envy.

I have no information about the MM-helmet of whales. But the Amskie (according to the media) are very difficult. Israelis are positioned best of all.
And we have - a projection against the background of the windshield of the cockpit, although the first to use the helmet-mounted missile control system R-27 - sighting and guiding it according to the pilot's gaze. Is IT technology in the pen?

[ANB]

... Is IT technology in the pen?

Serdyukov finished off the military research institutes.
Developers are not cheap now, MO does not offer competitive salaries.

[Alien From]

Our IT masters, of course, work more in business ...

[Avior]

The fact is that the Soviet and post-Soviet helmet-mounted NSCs were made in Kiev.
Until 2014, they were supplied to Russia from Kiev, there were promising developments, including joint ones. Then, of course, supplies and cooperation with Kiev fell away. Now they are trying to do it on their own.

[Flanker692]

Regarding the USA: At the very early stage, helmets for JSF were developed by two offices: the British from BAE Systems for naval versions:

and the already mentioned Israelis from Elbit for the Air Force versions:

As you can see, the Americans did not invent a bicycle, but developed the best technologies that can be reached. The replica of the futuristic helmet is from BAE Systems. As a result, sailors abandoned it and the helmet became the same for all versions. The Israelis created a daughter of their company in America so that the secret technology de jure was in the states.
Regarding Russia: I myself was looking for how things are with the Russian helmet, because the fact that everything will be just as cool was always remembered when it came to the Su-57. I came across both photos and video reports with early developments in this area and they looked, to put it mildly, as very crude prototypes. As a result, a new helmet has so far been adopted, but this is the most common helmet for attaching a night light or horns to it from the R-73 guidance system, which differs minimally from the very first version of the 80s for the Su-27 and MiG-29:

Nowadays it is not exactly a helmet that travels through exhibitions, but it looks more like a real product - a nozzle with positioning, visor indication and most likely night vision:

Regarding China: the article sucks on the tablet, but for some reason it is missed that the same Indicator on the windshield (HUD) or HUD is visible in the cockpit, which means with a 100% probability that their new helmet is not an analogue of that for F -35, because its main feature is the complete rejection of other indicators. And this means again the low quality of analytics.
In addition, the F-35 helmet is not the first American helmet with an indication. Having clearly spied the idea of ​​the R-90 in the 27s, they created in the 00s a modification of the AIM-9X and a Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System helmet for it:

Not always and not all wear it, tk. it costs ~ 200 thousand dollars (i.e., the Chinese analogue is only 2 times more expensive, if it exists at all) F-15, F-16, F-18 fly with this helmet on air-to-air missions. It's funny, but the F-22 does not have such a helmet, like all this pleasure is not cheap, and the Raptors can cope with everyone without it. They are actively saying that after the modernization of 2024, it will be possible to direct the AIM-9X with their heads, too. One of the F-22 pilots in an interview suggested that he simply would not fit under the narrow F-22 flashlight and they would not be given a JHMCS, but a Scorpion monocular. By the way, the Su-57 flashlight is also very small.
PS And yes, the value of rare earth metals is clearly overestimated.
PSS And a monocular with an indication in the states is even in the A-10 attack aircraft. When someone, whether a partner, an allied drone or even a Marine on the ground, illuminates the target with a laser, it is detected by the container sensor and hits the attack aircraft directly on the visor, which I call direct air support.
PSSS Even the F-35 pilot has a tablet on his thigh with a flight plan and other flight documents, despite all the bells and whistles of his helmet. it's super convenient. Our tablets also have.

[Boa kaa]

Quote from Flanker692

When anyone is a partner, an allied drone, or even a Marine on the ground ...

Alexey, will read your post, they will all be amazed at the depth of the material and the competence of the commentator.
Colleague Flanker - respect and respect to you!

[Oleg Olkha]

Very interesting, thanks! This Helmet Gen.3 cannot be cheap: - already in Gen-1, the step of movement of the pupil (!) Of the pilot, in both directions, to maintain the maximum image quality, was 1.5 mm. (which turned out to be a lot ...) Gen-3 finally solved the problem, and Elbit already has Gen-4. It is purely individual and the modeling takes place in two long sessions, starting with laser scanning of the pilot's head, measuring the interpupillary distance, intervals and their speed of movement at 360 degrees. and ending with fine-tuning the control logistics of the helmet for individual psycho-motor skills and control of the pilot's condition, online.

[OgnennyiKotik]

Quote: Boa constrictor KAA

Rare earth metals are the Achilles' heel of the United States. A Chinese arrow will fall into it, chaining Achilles to the battlefield.

Not really. There are a lot of explored reserves of rare earth metals. The main issue here is the cost of production and environmental friendliness. The production of this metal is very “dirty”, and making it “pure” is very, very expensive. China does not care about the environment and its subjects. Accordingly, they can produce them for a relatively cheap price, and this is what they use. If sales cease, the United States will buy from other suppliers and buy up national reserves. In the same Australia, the reserves of rare earths are almost more than in China (in terms of estimated reserves, not explored ones), but they process ore in Malaysia (concern for the environment ...). If that poured money into the homeland of the kangaroo. By the way, there are large explored reserves in Central Asia.

[Vitaly gusin]

Quote: OgnennyiKotik

By the way, there are large explored reserves in Central Asia.

By the way
As of June 2019, Russia ranked fourth in the world in terms of reserves of rare earth minerals - 12 million tons.
As such, it is far superior to Australia and the United States. These countries have 3,4 million tons and 1,4 million tons, respectively.

[OgnennyiKotik]

It's true. The problem is the same. We need huge investments in the industry and extremely high production prices.
Explored reserves, million tons:

Production, t:

[Avior]

Based on the charts, Vietnam could be a potential supplier instead of China, especially if investment and technology are secured.

[OgnennyiKotik]

These are proven reserves, there are still unexplored ones. There are many times more of them, just little exploration is carried out because it is pointless, even what is not explored. Rare earth metals are not at all rare. There are plenty of them in many countries. The issue is in ore processing. If technologies are developed cheaper and cleaner, many countries will begin to squeeze China.

[Boa kaa]

Quote: OgnennyiKotik

Should sales cease, the US will buy from other suppliers and buy up national reserves.

Colleague, it seems to me that you are mistaken. Take a closer look at the graphics:

Quote: OgnennyiKotik

In the same Australia, the reserves of rare earths are almost more than in China (in terms of estimated reserves, not explored ones) ... By the way, there are large explored reserves in Central Asia.

And there is even more on the moon - and what of that? They first need to be found (explored), then to assess the profitability of mining, then a project, development of a deposit, enrichment, ore processing, obtaining a product ... And all this takes time and money. And the race does not wait !!! Whoever did not have time, he was late ... perhaps forever. History knows such examples.

[OgnennyiKotik]

Quote: Boa constrictor KAA

Colleague, it seems to me that you are mistaken. Take a closer look at the graphics:

Yes, I watched it. Rare earths are more than enough from other suppliers (including in the United States itself), it will simply be much more expensive. The US always leaves a reserve, don't worry about them.

Quote: Boa constrictor KAA

And all this takes time and money. And the race does not wait!

So China supplies everything you need on demand. They know the price of refusal. Everyone is happy with the current situation. Will cease to arrange, they will find a way out.
In general, the problem of rare earths is far-fetched.

[Fedor M]

All this is not correct, you are showing the millionth ton of ore, the content in the ore is different

[Dmitry Bragin]

So, we need to start developing processing and mining in Central Asia, and migrant workers will work at home and not in Russia.

[Sergey Averchenkov]

Australia is in third place after China and Russia. USA - fourth. But it is not worth it to measure yourself with pipis, Russia's need for rare earth metals is extremely small - the Chuktukonskoye field is not being developed to this day and there are many of them (although I have not followed this for the last two or three years). And what does "there are a lot of explored reserves" mean? By what category? A, B, C1, C2? What content? It is a very slippery slope to say this ... Only category A can be attributed to fully explored reserves. I have not heard of Central Asia, but yes about North Korea - a field comparable (if not exceeding) to the Chinese one (I don’t remember how it was called).
For reference. Niobium - rocketry, aviation and space technology, radio engineering, electronics, chemical apparatus engineering, nuclear power. We have such reserves (Kola Peninsula).

[Vladimir_2U]

Quote: Boa constrictor KAA

But I was more impressed by the placement of the "tablet" at the pilot's feet.

Allows the Chinese pilot to feel like a trammer on the Earth.

[Sergey3]

But for me, the reason is different: embezzlers in China are shot more often, so it costs less and less.

[xASPIDx]

It is not entirely true that the PRC has an integrated approach.

[Avior]

Nonsense is written. In time for the price of a pilot's helmet, rare earth metals have little or no noticeable relationship, and their use is minimal, if at all.
In general, when comparing prices, you need to compare the functionality of the helmet.
If the full-spherical view really works, then this is a coup in combat at medium and, first of all, close-range, when aircraft speeds are limited, since the BVB was carried out within visual visibility, and in the presence of a helmet and cameras with a full-spherical
overview, it becomes possible to conduct the BVB outside of visual visibility, but not far enough for the opponents to effectively use their radar.
Taking into account the fact that BVB missiles appeared with a full-spherical launch and target acquisition after launch, such an aircraft will have a decisive advantage over the enemy in the BVB.

[Shahno]

Well, it's dumb., The Chinese copied the helmet, and everyone is just happy ... and what metals they dragged.

[Vasilenko Vladimir]

Chinese J-20 fighter pilot's multimedia helmet is 4 times cheaper than the F-35 pilot's helmet: one of the reasons is rare earth metals

and the other, bought on Ali Express

[Troll]

The cost of a product is the cost of raw materials, the cost of manufacturing, and the added value. The cost of raw materials in high-tech products, which is a helmet, tends to zero, so the cost of rare earths has almost nothing to do with it.

[Sergei 777]

And what will the Su 57 pilot have? There is information?

[Flanker692]

While the usual helmet. The first distributed aperture with infrared vision was received by the F-22. It was the 90s. Imported a picture from it onto the helmet and dropped the HUD after ~ 20 years on the F-35. The path for us will clearly not be fast

[poquello]

Quote from Flanker692

While the usual helmet. The first distributed aperture with infrared vision was received by the F-22. It was the 90s. Imported a picture from it onto the helmet and dropped the HUD after ~ 20 years on the F-35. The path for us will clearly not be fast

how do you usually shit quietly?

Quote from Flanker692

Regarding Russia: I myself was looking for how things are with the Russian helmet

looking for a long time? )
"Currently is being tested helmet-mounted target designation and indication system integrated into the pilot's protective helmet for the Su-57 aircraft. This system provides an indication on the glass of the protective visor of the pilot's helmet of sighting symbols for the use of various types of aviation weapons, indication of flight information, as well as the output of video images of the cockpit space from television and thermal imaging sensors, ”the press service of the United Aircraft Corporation reported.

[Flanker692]

Passing tests and getting into service are two different things. The indication on the new protective helmet of the Ryazan Instrument Plant, which I have already spoken about in this thread (don’t surprise me), has been "tested" for at least 4 years. Since 2017, it has appeared in the press as a promising helmet for the Mi-28. Now Rostec has put it on a new "regular" helmet ZSH-10, and now this is a specialized product for the Su-57. Over the past 6 years, at least two more scientific enterprises in Russia have mentioned their developments in this area, but Rostec apparently chose the GRPZ, since other prototypes really looked scary. In addition to such short news, there is also a video demonstrating the work of the prototype: pictures that the pilot sees and a short interview with developers in which they tell that they managed to cross the image from several infrared cameras and superimpose the indication on all this, because the helicopter, of course, had only one camera. It will take time from this point to a real helmet that can withstand all overloads and other joys of a combat mission, including ejection, that will work stably in all modes. Judging by the fact that the prototype has barely changed externally, it will pass enough. The first HMDS helmets for the F-35 appeared in 2009 and only after 10 years more or less overcame their childhood sores.
It’s not just crap quietly, but giving a cold shower, it’s good for your health. Miracles do not happen: Elbit Systems (Israeli weapons systems including their drones; work on helmet-mounted display since the 90s), BAE Systems (giant of the British military sector), Raytheon Technologies (giant of the US military sector) took them 10 or more years to bring their samples. And the Ryazan Instrument Plant, which sells meters and welding machines with young specialists on the civilian market, should it be done yesterday as students in 5 years?

[poquello]

Quote from Flanker692

Since 2017, it has appeared in the press as a promising helmet for the Mi-28.

))))))))))))
you, in your sophisticated writing, did not fail to mention the raptor in the 90m and somehow suddenly forgot about aiming the Black Shark on a Soviet helicopter (years of production: 1981-2009), pt not from scratch

Quote from Flanker692

Ryazan Instrument Plant, which sells meters and welding machines with young specialists on the civilian market, should it be done yesterday as students in 5 years?

) well, somehow the Ryazan instrumentation is more competent than the aforementioned

[Flanker692]

again trying to catch instead of understanding ((
the article is called "multimedia helmet". do not confuse helmet-mounted target designation and indication. The first known target designation systems on an aircraft - "Agile" / Elbit Systems DASH (on the left is the first experiment in 1973, on the right are the first serial versions of the late 70s for the Python-3 rocket on the Israeli F-15, F-16):

Now the main thing: on the helicopter - the M128 sight of the SPH-4 helmet for the AH-1Q Cobra (1978 year):

The principle of operation of such systems is the synchronization of the position of the head with the infrared head of the rocket / built-in gun of the helicopter. This monocle is solely for the convenience of the pilot, to make it easier / more familiar to use it. Here is what can be seen in this glass on the example of NVU-2M (MiG-29):

The same sight was used for the first time on the Apache before the introduction in 1985 of IHADSS from the same Elbit Systems. IHADSS is, in addition to aiming with a gun, a full-fledged indication of flight data and pictures from a night vision device on the monocle:

The Ka-50 never had this, their monocle simply helped to quickly direct the Shkval sighting system in the right direction. It is difficult to find a suitable image of the Ka-50 helmet, but everything is the same as that of the Su-27 and MiG-29 pilots. There is a feature film "Black Shark" where all this is shown in close-up. It was all analogous to the M128 (1978 again). But this does not mean that the Kamovites are not good fellows, on the contrary, they tried with all their might to move technologies forward in the Soviet army, but apparently the Milians' lobby was stronger.
IHADSS has been a serial product for a hundred years. Personally, I do not even like the fact that our development is going slowly, but the fact that for the Su-57 and Mi-28NM helmets with indication and even with augmented reality are considered either a fait accompli or a fait accompli. There is a lot of work and lies only interfere with the process.

[Flanker692]

PS. While we are finding out who was longer there in the 80s, Elbit Systems continues to modernize its systems for the American troops. Here is the fulfillment of the helmets contract for the AH-1Z US Marine Corps:

In Russia, I only see news that something grandiose is being planned, the sense from which is to curry favor and create a kind of vigorous activity, and not for those who really deal with these issues, but for the chief of bosses.

[poquello]

Quote from Flanker692

PS. While we are finding out who was longer there in the 80s, Elbit Systems continues to modernize its systems for the American troops. Here is the fulfillment of the helmets contract for the AH-1Z US Marine Corps:

probably helps)

Quote from Flanker692

In Russia, I only see news that something grandiose is being planned.

In Russia they try to do practical and useful things, sometimes for a long time, and in China they try to copy everything, so we compare the Chinese pilot's helmet and the f35 helmet

Quote from Flanker692

not at all for those who really deal with these issues, but for the chief of chiefs.

well, it happens

[Ivanushka Ivanov]

Chinese panties are 10 times cheaper than American ones. How can red be compared to warm? For the Chinese economy and the US economy are basically different concepts. The economy of Russia is something third, a special matter, incomprehensible.

[Evgesha]

The problem of rare earth (non-ferrous) metals is their processing of raw materials and obtaining pure materials.
This is problem. It is necessary for this process to have appropriate technologies, and also to bring in a lot of energy and thousands of cubic meters of WATER !!!!! And then you still have to think about what to do with the waste !!!
In general, nonferrous metallurgy is a complete scribe of ecology !!!!!! There is a waste drain - complete horror !!!!!

And the author has a question - how many kilograms of rare earth metals are used in the production of a helmet in China ????