{"id":4060,"date":"2023-04-10T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-10T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=4060"},"modified":"2023-04-11T15:36:21","modified_gmt":"2023-04-11T15:36:21","slug":"f-22a-raptor-pilots-test-next-gen-helmet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=4060","title":{"rendered":"F-22A Raptor pilots test next-gen helmet"},"content":{"rendered":"
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EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) — \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Developmental flight tests are underway for the Air Force\u2019s new Next Generation Fixed Wing Helmet<\/strong><\/a> at Eglin Air Force Base<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Engineers with the 46th Test Squadron and the 28th Test and Evaluation Squadron oversee the helmet testing.\u00a0 Approximately five F-22A Raptor<\/strong><\/a> pilots from the 301st Fighter Squadron<\/strong><\/a>, a Reserve unit with the 43rd Fighter Squadron at Eglin AFB, fly with the new lighter, cooler and more readily-equipped helmet.<\/p>\n

The NGFWH program goal is to provide pilots a more comfortable, stable and balanced platform to accommodate helmet-mounted devices usage without imposing neck strain and discomfort to the user.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is common knowledge fighter pilots have long-term neck and back issues,\u201d said Maj. Brett Gedman, 301st FS pilot. \u201cTherefore, having a lightweight helmet designed with the operator in mind will have positive long-term impacts on the health of our fighter pilots during and after service.\u201d<\/p>\n

This series of tests marks the second round of developmental tests with the LIFT Airborne Technologies-manufactured helmet since it was awarded the contract<\/strong><\/a> in 2022. The NGFWH is set to replace the more than 40-year-old current model, known as HGU-55, used by all Air Force aircrew except F-35 Lightning II<\/strong><\/a> flyers.<\/p>\n

After each flight, the pilots report any feedback they have about wearability, visibility, communication, etc. The engineers compile that data to provide to the manufacturers. So far, outside of minor tweaks, the feedback is positive.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe design of the helmet allows for unparalleled visibility, mobility and comfort in the cockpit,\u201d Gedman said. \u201cThe increased visibility combined with the mobility it provides made it a massive improvement over what I am used to flying with. It is clear this has been a generational leap in technology that the fighter pilot deserves, which is long overdue.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gedman said those factors are critical when operating in a high-G within visual range environment.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith near-peer threats narrowing the gap daily, it is critical the fighter pilots have every tactical advantage possible,\u201d Gedman said. \u201cDetails matter and it is coming down to the smallest details including the gear we wear.\u201d<\/p>\n

Along with Air Force aircrew, the new helmet also has a great effect on aircrew flight equipment technicians. They are responsible for preparing, equipping and maintaining the helmets for the aircrew.<\/p>\n

Many flight advancements are now standard on the new helmet such as night-vision goggle mounts and an adjustable occipital basket. With the legacy helmet, HGU-55, these items are added manually, adjusted and fitted to the aircrew and take hours to prepare. To add a NVG mount to the legacy helmet, an AFE Airmen uses power tools to drill into the helmet to secure the bracket.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom a pre-flight and build up standpoint, the new helmet is much better,\u201d said Airman 1st Class Matthew Crouse, a 325th Operations Support Squadron AFE technician responsible NGFWH maintenance during the testing. \u201cIt makes our job much easier in the long run, but because it\u2019s so easy to adjust, we can make corrections if they are needed.\u201d<\/p>\n

When the F-22 squadrons leave<\/strong><\/a> Eglin AFB soon for Joint Base Langley-Eustis<\/strong><\/a>, Virginia, the test engineers will follow for a new round testing with new pilots. Eventually, the tests will spread out to other aircraft and aircrew. The next aircraft type scheduled to test the helmets will be the HC-130J Combat King II<\/strong><\/a> and B-1B Lancer<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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U.S. Air Force Logo<\/title><\/p><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) — \u00a0 Developmental flight tests are underway for the Air Force\u2019s new Next Generation Fixed Wing Helmet at Eglin Air Force Base. Engineers with the 46th Test Squadron and the 28th Test and Evaluation Squadron oversee the helmet testing.\u00a0 Approximately five F-22A Raptor pilots from the 301st Fighter Squadron, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4062,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4060","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4060","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4060"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4060\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4063,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4060\/revisions\/4063"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4062"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4060"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4060"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4060"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}