Question - What is it? (next to HUD)

[AeriaGloria]

55 minutes ago, Drona said:

Any idea what the highlighted portion is?

And part of pressurization system no doubt 

[Fighter29]

4 часа назад, AeriaGloria сказал:

And part of pressurization system no doubt 

Hot air tube for windshield ventilation 

[PhantomHans]

On 8/30/2025 at 1:47 PM, YoYo said:

This system was part of the ZSh-5 – the world's first integrated helmet-mounted sighting system (HMS), introduced in the MiG-29 and Su-27 in the late 1970s/early 1980s.

https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/helmet-flying-protective-type-hgu-30p-or-vtas-i-united-states-navy/nasm_A19800073000

Well, maybe a world second.  VTAS on the F-4J/N/S Phantoms came in September 1972 offering the same missile and radar (starting with VTAS II in 1975) slaving capability.

Edited 23 hours ago by PhantomHans
Weird multiple post

[AeriaGloria]

Yeah, and was bulky enough pilots didn’t like it, and only slewed to 22 degrees, leading to it being a dead end 

[Dudikoff]

14 hours ago, AeriaGloria said:

Yeah, and was bulky enough pilots didn’t like it, and only slewed to 22 degrees, leading to it being a dead end 

It was further developed to VTAS II and III and even tested on the F-14A, but to be more useful, it required development of new high off-boresight missiles.

In the end, the Navy decided to shift their missiles development funds elsewhere based on tests, tactical considerations and available budget (the primary limiting factor as always).

If they had known in advance the Soviets would field such a system on the MiG-29 and Su-27, I guess they might have given it a higher priority.