I think this is a spectacular use of current technology, which inevitably, like other military technology, will trickle down to civilian use, as is the case with the Global Positioning System (GPS). This "electronic bucket" will allow visibility in all directions regardless of weather conditions while also providing all the necessary information needed to fly the aircraft, no matter what direction the pilot is looking. It's all about improving situational awareness. Being able to observe possible threats (be it combat or collision) without looking away to monitor flight controls maximizes situational awareness. Maximizing situational awareness maximizes aircraft safety, which is obviously a good thing for both pilots and passengers of aircraft

Though spectacular the technology is, it is also likely to become obsolete shortly after its introduction into service since the pilot is likely to become a legacy device provided as a backup to electronic systems.

Rich Duerr, Philadelphia, PA

As a former airline captain, I can't imagine having a computer
view screen helmet blocking my vision like the model illustrated. When we first learn how to fly "instruments" a hood is used to confine one's vision to the instrument panel in the cockpit. The hood prevents a person from using exterior visual clues to maintain level flight, etc. Flying with instruments is what we are trained to do. Flying with an electronic bucket on your head is something I would rather not do!

Alexis, Los Angeles, CA

@ Daniel: Because the logic processes required to duplicate the work required of a pilot are highly complex and current AI routines are fallible.

Actually controlling the aircraft is the easy bit for computers: resolving "life or death" decisions about weapons deployment and the difficulties that arise from that are far from easy to resolve. Maybe in the next twenty years, but not now despite the growth of UAV technology.

Chris Partridge, Berkshire, England