• Through a Glass Brightly

The story of the development of Head-Up Display (HUD) stands as a significant achievement in British engineering. This success was the result of an innovative integration of specialist optics, high-brightness cathode ray tubes, analogue electronics, and computing technology capable of performing the complex calculations required for the three-dimensional dynamics of aerial combat. Engineers at the Royal Aircraft Establishment worked with Rank Cintel to design the world’s first production HUD, initially developed to meet the specifications of the Buccaneer Strike Sight. Production was later assumed by Elliott Brothers following their acquisition of Rank Cintel. This foundational work ultimately contributed to the emergence of BAE Systems as a global leader in HUD technology.