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While watching a YouTube video (2.5hrs), I noticed this device on the top of most Russian Su-27 combat pilot's helmet. A google search only shows it for a Su-27 and MiG-29, but apparently no other aircraft. It was not on any Chinese, Syria, Ukraine or Russian aerobatic pilots flying the Su-27. It appears to be at the wrong angle and has a metal plate that seems to exclude it from being some type of illumination.

What is this on a Su-27 helmet?

enter image description here

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    $\begingroup$ Possibly a night vision goggle bracket? $\endgroup$
    – Ron Beyer
    Commented Jan 5, 2018 at 3:39
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    $\begingroup$ Looks like a go-pro mount. $\endgroup$
    – Criggie
    Commented Jan 5, 2018 at 6:34
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    $\begingroup$ Unrelated, but thank you for the documentary link. Truly interesting. $\endgroup$
    – eis
    Commented Jan 5, 2018 at 7:55
  • $\begingroup$ Russian Su-27 combat fighter aircraft designed around 1980. It started out as a lemon but the Russians improved it and variants so quickly over a few years that it soon out flew any other aircraft in the world. The F22 and F35 have been built specifically as a deterrent to the S-27 & Su-35. Russia challenged the US to a test dogfight. The US pilots did not like the idea...much, too risky to hold the fight...in front of photographers and TV cameras. pravdareport.com/world/americas/20-07-2009/108253-su27-0 $\endgroup$
    – jwzumwalt
    Commented Jan 6, 2018 at 10:42
  • $\begingroup$ @jwzumwalt we sure that's not an urban legend/ pravda piece? $\endgroup$
    – Federico
    Commented May 30, 2018 at 21:42

2 Answers 2

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That is the mounting point for night vision goggles. The following image shows a helmet with NVG mounted.

Helmet mounted NVG

Helmet mounted NVG; image from lemt.by

The USAF has helmets with different mounting and some of the modern pilot helmets (like BAE Striker II, for example) have an integrated night vision device.

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enter image description here
(spetstechnoexport.com)

Those are also mounts for Helmet Mounted Sight for the Vympel R-73 missile. Both the MiG-29 and Su-27 were equipped with this missile system.

I think F-35 pilots have this technology now but with a fancier helmet. The old ones on the MIGs looks like monocle.

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    $\begingroup$ Can you provide any information on this targeting wearable device? Such as its name, and any supporting material? Thanks. $\endgroup$
    – user14897
    Commented May 25, 2018 at 19:52
  • $\begingroup$ @ymb SURA helmet-mounted target designator is the Su-30-adapted export version of "Щель-3УМ-1" system, which is used on MiG-29 and Su-27 (and its derivatives). It is indeed can be mounted on that slot on the helmet. $\endgroup$
    – Danila Smirnov
    Commented Jun 6, 2018 at 5:29
  • $\begingroup$ @DanilaSmirnov - nice info, I added the picture from the link. $\endgroup$
    – user14897
    Commented Jun 6, 2018 at 23:09

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