Thales to Enhance NH90 Pilot Safety with Advanced TopOwl Digital Helmets
Thales has been awarded a new contract by the NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA) to develop enhanced functions and advanced operational capabilities for the TopOwl Digital Display (DD) helmet. The award follows the Spanish Ministry of Defence’s procurement of 31 NH90 helicopters and reinforces NATO’s commitment to improving aircrew safety and mission effectiveness in complex operational environments.
The contract, delivered in partnership with NHIndustries (NHI) and Safran, highlights close collaboration across the European defence ecosystem in support of the French Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) and Spain’s Dirección General de Armamento y Material (DGAM).
Evolving a Combat-Proven Helmet System
Building on decades of operational experience, the TopOwl DD helmet represents the next evolution of the widely deployed TopOwl family. Designed to meet the growing demands of modern rotary-wing operations, the digital helmet enables pilots to operate effectively in environments where visibility is severely degraded.
Whether flying at night, in adverse weather, or during dust- and snow-filled landings, the TopOwl DD provides pilots with a clear, stabilised and intuitive view of their surroundings—ensuring greater confidence and control during the most demanding mission phases.
Fusing Sensors, Vision and Augmented Reality
At the heart of the TopOwl DD is advanced sensor fusion. The helmet integrates high-definition mission camera video feeds, including Safran’s Eurofl’Eye, alongside flight and mission sensor data. This information is presented directly to the pilot through augmented reality symbology and spatial alerts, significantly enhancing situational awareness while reducing workload.
By intelligently combining terrain vision with real-time sensor data and upgraded light-intensifier tubes, the system enables safe operations day and night in challenging conditions such as fog, dust clouds, snowstorms or extremely low-light environments.
Enhancing Safety in Low-Altitude Operations
Low-altitude and confined-area operations are among the most demanding aspects of helicopter missions. The TopOwl DD helmet directly addresses these challenges by delivering superior visibility and precise spatial awareness when natural visual references are limited or unavailable.
For NH90 pilots, this capability translates into improved safety during take-off, landing and manoeuvring, particularly in tactical or humanitarian missions where operating environments are unpredictable and time-critical.
Designed with Pilots, Built for Endurance
Thales brings more than 20 years of experience in the design of helmet-mounted display and targeting systems for military helicopters. The TopOwl DD helmet is developed and manufactured at the Thales Campus in Bordeaux, working closely with defence industry partners and operational forces.
Each helmet is individually tailored to the pilot’s physiology, ensuring optimal comfort, balance and visual alignment. This bespoke approach reduces fatigue during extended missions and enhances overall performance in high-stress environments.
Strengthening NATO Collaboration and Capability
The award reflects a strong strategic partnership between Thales, NAHEMA, DGA and NHIndustries, focused on delivering advanced technologies aligned with the operational needs of NATO armed forces.
Commenting on the programme, Florent Chauvancy, Vice President of Flight Avionics at Thales, said the selection of the TopOwl DD helmet confirms its leading role in enhancing operational performance and flight safety for helicopter crews operating in the most demanding conditions.
Through continued innovation in digital vision and augmented reality, Thales is reinforcing NATO’s technological edge while ensuring pilots are equipped to succeed in the most challenging missions.