The intense air combat sequence in movies is familiar to many moviegoers — with a target in sight, virtual guides assist the pilot as they aim their weapon and lock on before firing.
Such on-screen guides are projected within a head-up display (HUD), so-called because the pilot’s head remains upright with the gaze focused on the external environment, rather than looking downwards at another screen or instrument panel.
U.S. Navy Grumman F-14A Tomcat aligned in the HUD of another aircraft during air combat maneuvering, 2013. Image Credit: By U.S. Navy [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
A HUD is any transparent display that offers a pilot an unbroken view of key flight information, projected directly into the pilot's line of sight (e.g., just inside the windshield or on a screen) – this enables the pilot to keep their eyes focused outside the aircraft.