KC-767 boom operator’s stereoscopic vision goggles: introducing the Remote Vision System

As already explained in the previous post about the KC-767, unlike all the previous boom-equipped tankers, the NextGen Tanker uses an adveniristic remote boom operator’s station located behind the cockpit.

Whereas, in the KC-135, the “boomer” (as the operator is nicknamed) is prone and moves the flying boom in the receptacle watching the receiver through a rear observation window, in the KC-767 and future KC-46 that will replace the KC-135E in the U.S. Air Force, the operators, move the boom using a joystick and watching the video from a series of cameras mounted on the tanker’s fuselage.

The advanced camera system feeds a Remote Vision System (RVS) that provides high-definition stereoscopic imagery to the vision goggles attached to a sort-of flight helmet worn by the boomer during the air-to-air refueling.

Below, the images taken on board the Italian Air Force KC-767 belonging to the 14° Stormo, based at Pratica di Mare, during an aerial refueling mission on Mar. 16, 2012.

Salva

About David Cenciotti
David Cenciotti is a journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written five books and contributed to many more ones.