Pilots of the U.S Air Force’s F-22 stealth fighter are currently undergoing testing of the military service’s newest next-generation helmet. The HGU-55P helmet has been the standard issued helmet for the Air Force for the last forty years, and the new helmet was developed based on the needs of pilots and their feedback.
Currently, the testing is taking place at Eglin Air Force Base, where five F-22A Raptor pilots from the 301st Fighter Squadron and 43rd Fighter Squadron are using the new helmet. This upgraded helmet is designed to be both cooler and lighter, and has accessories and features designed to improve the comfort and stability of the user without creating any neck strains.
The goal of the ‘Next Generation Fixed Wing Helmet’ program is to provide a well-balanced, comfortable platform for pilots for using helmet-mounted devices without any of the stress and discomfort that the current helmet can cause. According to Major Brett Gedman from the 301st Fighter Squadron, having a lightweight helmet designed solely with the operators in mind means that pilots will have healthier, long-term impacts while in and after active duty.
The tests are being supervised by the 46th Test Squadron and the 28th Test and Evaluation Squadron. This is the second round of developmental tests that has been conducted since 2022 when the new helmet was contracted to LIFT. After the squadrons are moved to Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, more testing will be conducted on the HC-130J and B-1B Lancer.
Scott Cota, the Plans and Requirements branch aircrew flight equipment program analyst, discussed how the upgraded helmet was designed with the increasing advances in aircraft technology and the changes in the demographic of pilots since the 1980s in mind. The new helmet is equipped with many tech innovations such as Active Noise Reduction (ANR), which helps protect pilots from stress and fatigue, and the Aircrew Mounted Power Supply (AMPS), which helps extend the life of the helmet. The helmet is also fitted with custom fit systems for men and women, providing more comfort and stability, as well as being equipped with the nuclear flash protective goggles.
The new helmet design is more ergonomic than the previous one and can be operated with one-hand, and the magnetic chin strap simplifies the task of putting it on. The reduced size of the updated helmet means it’s more compatible with the helmet-mounted display systems and poses less strain on the user’s neck and back.
However, the F-22 is not yet equipped with a helmet that provides essential flight and weapon aiming info due to the canopy being designed for Low Observability, meaning it doesn’t enable enough range of motion for the pilot to use one of the modern HMDs.
The ongoing testing of the new helmet will allow the manufacturer to compile data and fix any issues or improvements that need to be made.
The manufacturer of the helmet, LIFT, is an American-based defense contractor that specializes in aircrafts related projects. They have a long and successful history in creating some of the most advanced aircrafts and their components.
Scott Cota, the Plans and Requirements branch aircrew flight equipment program analyst mentioned in the article, is a dedicated professional and has been working on optimizing the choice of equipment and other necessary devices in aircrafts. He also held extensive discussions with pilots to gain valuable feedback, which helped in the development of the new helmet.
