The Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO), a key laboratory under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), is making strides in developing a waveguide-based smart Head-Up Display (HUD) for India’s advanced fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). This initiative marks a significant entry for CSIO into the cutting-edge realm of waveguide optical technology, an area currently being explored by defense innovators in nations including Israel and the United Kingdom.
Waveguide technology facilitates the controlled transmission of electromagnetic waves—such as light and radio waves—along designated paths while ensuring minimal energy loss. This approach is aimed at enhancing the precision and efficiency of various electronic systems within military applications.
The forthcoming smart HUD is poised to replace traditional cathode ray tube-based systems with a modern, fully digital display that is not only 30% lighter but also 50% more energy-efficient. By utilizing transparent glass plates instead of cumbersome lenses, the new HUD will present a slimmer profile, crucial for stealth operations, while reducing both radar and visual signatures, thereby optimizing it for integration with stealth aircraft.
Ashish Gaurav, a Senior Principal Scientist at CSIO, highlighted that a pre-prototype demonstration has already been showcased to the Indian Air Force, with completion and integration trials anticipated to occur within the next two years.
The smart HUD is designed to project critical flight and combat data—such as altitude, airspeed, weapon status, and angle of attack—directly into the pilot’s line of sight, ensuring that situational awareness remains uninterrupted during high-speed maneuvers. This system aims to serve as a future replacement for HUDs currently in use on aircraft like the Tejas, Sukhoi-30MKI, Jaguar, and Hawk AJT. Notably, these existing HUD systems, also developed by CSIO, are manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the Indian Air Force and Navy.
The initiative surrounding CSIO’s waveguide HUD program aligns with India’s increasing focus on self-reliance in defense avionics, dovetailing with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. This collaborative research effort involves joint contributions from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), CSIR laboratories, Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), and private industry partners.
With an estimated domestic waveguide technology market valued at USD 200 million—primarily fueled by aerospace and defense—the development of an indigenous smart HUD signifies an essential advancement toward constructing a future-ready optical and avionics infrastructure for Indian air combat platforms. This project not only reinforces India’s dedication to enhancing its defense capabilities but also bolsters the nation’s position in the global aviation technology landscape.
