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The Trusted Military Resource for Over 50 Years

Name: Polhemus | 3D Motion Capture
Price range: $

From the dawn of flight simulation through the advancement of Helmet Mounted Cueing System technology, Polhemus has led the way. Our precision electromagnetic tracking hardware is purpose built to deliver reliable performance in the most challenging, dynamic environments.

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The Pioneers in Motion Tracking

Military helmet tracking requirements is how Polhemus first entered the market, and it’s a core of who we are today. Polhemus has been working with prime contractors and military entities since 1969. Our systems have flown on U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Army fixed and rotary-wing aircraft.

Many of our customers require the absolute best motion tracking performance with low risk, solid-state, progressive technology – things we’re well known for! Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Boeing, and Collins Aerospace are just a few who have selected Polhemus for the best in head tracking.

Head tracking remains a crucial component of both flight training and live flight capabilities. Enabling the highest fidelity simulation, as well as real-time situational awareness and cueing capabilities in the air. Polhemus technology makes it all come together.

Applications

Head Tracking

Polhemus pioneered the original electromagnetic head tracking in the late 1960’s and has advanced the technology in tracking excellence ever since. Our purpose built trackers are the best available.

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Our latest trackers, SCOUT and VIPER, offer unprecedented ease of integration, accuracy, and simplicity for both real and simulated aircraft cockpits and ground vehicles.

Available for flying rotary and fixed wing aircraft AND flight simulators; our intent is to offer customers the edge in lightweight wearable motion tracking technology where requirements may involve tracking a pilot’s head for accurate weapons cueing and control; slewing a gimbaled sensor pod on the latest ground or air based vehicle; cueing a remote weapons station on a drone; and countless other scenarios involving advantages with simple and real-world man/machine interfacing. Whether it be simulated training or real-world fighting vehicles, we can provide the accurate tracking sensor for success.

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Weapon Tracking

A small, lightweight sensor is all that's required to track the movement of weapons, or other equipment. Polhemus motion tracking solutions are used across a wide range of applications, including JTAC simulators, helicopter rear crew hoist systems, gunnery trainers, and more.

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High precision embeddable tracking sensors deliver accurate position and orientation data. This enables training systems, including VR and AR simulators, to determine the real time location and alignment of simulated military equipment during use.

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Made in the USA

Polhemus products are proudly made in the USA, manufactured right in the heart of Vermont.

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Our manufacturing facility lives in Colchester, Vermont - just north of Burlington.

Polhemus is ISO9001:2015 and our SCOUT tracking system has received U.S. military flight qualifications. Whatever your tracking need is, trust that we will deliver the highest quality tracker to you.

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Why Electromagnetic Tracking?

Polhemus uses proprietary AC electromagnetic tracking technology because of the advantages it offers. Some of the strengths of our electromagnetic tracking technology are listed below:

No line-of-sight (LOS) constraints

Six degrees of freedom (6DOF) motion measurement (x, y, z; yaw, pitch, roll)

No acoustic constraints

Enables real-time measurement of trainee orientation

No IR or thermal limitations

NVG compatible

Measurement accuracy is precise and repeatable

No drift characteristics – Polhemus provides repeatable results every time

No user calibration is required in most environments

Up to 960Hz update rate for all sensors running simultaneously

Does not require scrutiny of wideband RF interference impact by spectrum authority

Does not require RF transmission regulatory exception in the US and elsewhere

Further Information

Below is a sample of case studies and blog posts relevant to the military market.

VSS CATS, Complete Aircrew Training System

The Polhemus G4 tracking system is also scalable, so sources or sensors can be added to increase the range or the number of people or…

Training Military Simulation

VSS M134 Dillon Minigun

Used with the Polhemus G4, the Simulated M134 Minigun significantly cuts costs by not firing live rounds, yet provides the various…

Training Military Simulation

VSS MK2 Sniper

The Polhemus G4 motion tracker is an integral part of this total solution. Because G4 tracks in full 6DOF with a high degree of accuracy,…

Training Military Simulation

VSS Vector 21, Virtual Reality Range Finding Binoculars

There is zero simulator sickness associated with use, not often the case with many other VR visuals powered by other types of technologies.

Training Military Simulation

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Vermont Air National Guard Uses Polhemus SCOUT in F-16 Simulators

Using the Polhemus SCOUT tracker, the pilot is head-tracked with 6 degrees-of-freedom, enabling the image generator to know at any moment…

Training Military Simulation

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Customers

With over 50 years of experience, our customer and partner list is long; below is a sample of a few of our valued customers.

Lockheed Martin

Collins Aerospace

Boeing

Thales

General Dynamics

Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)

NASA

Raydon

L3 Technologies