Page 9 - AAPT November 2019

Cover Story
Background ....this has changed for the 4th and 5th generation of
Many of us use devices that are aircraft and resulted in a growth in the importance
fragile and susceptible to damage of the flight helmet as a source of combat advantage
or breakage. Care must be taken
to prevent damage to such a device outside its basic protection role.
– especially when the user relies on
the device for his or her occupation, useful, combining functionality and helmet. The pilot is able to access the
adventure and, at times, even to protect advantage with the basic requirement information required to fly the aircraft
the user’s life. This potential exists, for of safety. But if we simply look at the almost regardless of where he is
instance, when a device is carried or period up until just a few years ago looking. This critical flight information
otherwise transported in the austere of the flight helmet’s life, it seems to will only be available in the helmet he
environments where we work or play. have stagnated technologically and wears, making it indispensable flight
An exemplary device that includes thus, strayed little from its primary equipment. In addition, he will be
fragile elements that are susceptible goal of protecting the pilot’s head. able to use NVDs and various infrared
to breakage is a modern, aviator flight Over this period most modern helmets cameras and display options, DAS
helmet. have offered the following similar (Distributed Aperture System), etc.
The aviator flight helmet, like the capabilities: protective outer shell, without taking any additional gear to
aircraft he or she flies, has come a long comfortable interior, attached visor, the aircraft, like is the norm at present.
way since the first powered flight over radio communication, source of oxygen, All of these options are contained
100 years ago. Advances in helmet and add-ons like an attachment for a within the flight helmet he carries to
use and function have been driven by separate Night Vision Device (NVD). the jet. The trade-off is that this new
changing safety requirements, aircraft Although convenient and useful, few, if helmet has become a very sensitive
capability, technology and, at its base any, of these capabilities are absolutely and fragile piece of gear – more so
level, necessity. critical to fly and employ the aircraft. than any other piece of gear he uses.
In the early 1900s through the end This has changed for the 4th and 5th Where the helmet once served merely
of WWII, the aviator’s helmet was generation of aircraft and resulted in a to protect the pilot’s head, the pilot will
made of soft leather and intended growth in the importance of the flight now, in some capacity, serve to protect
mainly to protect from wind and helmet as a source of combat advantage this helmet!
cold. As advances in wireless radio outside its basic protection role. In the Gone are the days of careless
communication developed, the leather latter stages of 4th generation aircraft handling and use of a fighter aircraft
helmet began to feature earphones maturity, on platforms such as the F-15, helmet. The pilot who now relies on this
for radio receivers. Later, as turbo- F-16, F/A-18, F-22 and various foreign helmet to successfully fly and employ
charging technology permitted higher competitors, the development of a his aircraft will be acutely aware and
aircraft operating altitudes, the oxygen helmet mounted cueing system has concerned about the safety of this
mask attachment became standard changed the direction of flight helmet helmet while in transit to and from the
as well. requirements and has begun a shift aircraft as well as any other time he is
Early eye protection in the form in the definition of its primary function. not using it for flight.
of rubber-framed glass goggles were In a sense, tactical employment of It serves to reason that, like all
adopted from the fledgling days of the helmet’s cuing system and the technology, these improvements come
manned flight as the most reasonable advantage gained by its use, have at a price. What the pilot might have
way to protect the eyes--especially in changed the focus of both construction considered expensive for the previous
open-cockpit machines. As operating and the role the helmet plays. Add helmet he wore will pale in comparison
speeds became substantially increased to this the ability to see the video of to the price tag on this new helmet – to
with the advent of jet aircraft, rigid visors an aircraft sensor (like IR Imagery) an order of great magnitude ($500K
were developed as part of the helmet to displayed on the visor, and the utility of USD for F-35 HMD). So, another
protect aircrew from the deadly wind- the helmet increases dramatically. Both factor contributing to the critical nature
blast effects of emergency ejection. of these capabilities are available now of helmet protection is its extremely
Over the years, the flight helmet on helmets such as the Joint Helmet high price relative to past years and
has served first and foremost to protect Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS). former helmet bag solutions – a fact
the pilot’s head in various situations: The helmet used on the F-35 that will be realized by both the end
from bumps and scrapes on the flight Joint Strike Fighter has all of these user and the numerous individuals and
line or in the cockpit, to the dangerous capabilities and more. In fact, the F-35 services responsible for acquisition and
environment of an aircraft carrier deck, no longer uses the Heads-Up Display maintenance of these helmets. What
and more critical still in the case of (HUD) that has become the standard is required is something to aid the pilot
high-speed ejection. Like any piece in modern tactical jets. The critical and technician in a mounting challenge
of equipment however, man has found information previously displayed on to protect this helmet.
a way to make this device even more the HUD will now be contained in the

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