Fighter Sweep
  • Home
  • Military Aviation
  • Air Force
  • Navy
  • Spec Ops
  • Expert Analysis
  • Careers
  • Photos
Home Previous Post Next Post
Follow @fightersweep

F-35 Helmet: Tests To Begin On Lighter Version

March 15, 2016 F-35 Helmet: Tests To Begin On Lighter Version
FighterSweep Staff No Comments News

Editor’s Note: This is a subject we’re watching closely, as a handful of our good friends fly the F-35 in the Air Force and Marine Corps. I remember looking at the helmet the first time I visited the F-35 ITF at Edwards, and it’s a monstrosity. Just over four pounds. Heavier than JHMCS. That was in 2011 and the helmet has undergone revision since then, but it’s still heavy, and still a cause of concern for pilots during high-G maneuvers, and especially during the ejection sequence.

The F-35 joint program office will begin testing the first prototype of the new, lightweight Generation III helmet later this month, with the hope of resolving by November issues with the jet’s escape system that have kept some pilots grounded.

The JPO and industry will begin testing Rockwell Collins’ latest version of the F-35 helmet, built to be about 6 ounces lighter than the original Gen III helmet, in late March, said Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian, director of the F-35 integration office. This will be the first time the JPO has tested the full-up Gen III “Light,” although the program office has tested a modified helmet that is about the same weight as the light version, he said.

F-35 Helmet: Tests To Begin On Lighter Version

Major Brad Matherne views the flightline inside an F-35A Lightning II before a training mission April 4, 2013, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brett Clashman)

The new light helmet is one of three solutions the Pentagon and industry hope will allow the military services to lift restrictions on lightweight pilots flying the F-35. Last year, Defense News first reported that pilots under 136 pounds were barred from flying the fifth-generation aircraft after testers discovered an increased risk of neck damage to lightweight pilots ejecting from the plane. The Air Force has also acknowledged an “elevated level of risk” for pilots between 136 and 165 pounds.

The original article in its entirety can be viewed at Defense News right here.

(Featured photo courtesy Staff Sgt. Marleah Robertson/U.S. Air Force)

Related Posts

  • F-35 Generation III Helmet “Green Glow” Fix TestedF-35 Generation III Helmet “Green Glow” Fix Tested
  • Pentagon: F-35 Program Making Solid ProgressPentagon: F-35 Program Making Solid Progress
  • Cost Of F-35A To Decrease By 2019Cost Of F-35A To Decrease By 2019
  • POGO: F-35 Not Ready For Combat Until 2022POGO: F-35 Not Ready For Combat Until 2022
  • Lockheed: Advanced EOTS Preparing For TestsLockheed: Advanced EOTS Preparing For Tests

Find Us on Facebook

FighterSweep.com

Sign Up
for the Newsletter

What’s Hot

  • Whistling Death: How The Corsair Got Its Nickname
    August 30, 2019

    Whistling Death: How the Corsair got its nickname

  • blue-angels-reporter-blacks-out-passes-out
    December 5, 2017

    Watch: News Reporter Blacks Out on Ride with US Navy Blue Angels

  • August 2, 2019

    The Ultimate Carrier Break: Nasty SHB

Follow Us

Facebook Twitter Twitter

Recent Comments

  • pak152 " the team came up with what the Brits dubbed as Mustang, powered by a [...]
  • P K Polish AF never has and never will operate Su-27, An-26 aircraft has been out [...]
  • bnarfhyde The best book is also great. have a [...]
  • TerrorTrike ive never survived this long with such a clumsy FL- cG.866B.CO/NC6155hc
  • D4rksupeme yessss truck kunnnnnnnn i needddd you m.866E.CO/vC6155H

© Copyright 2023 SOFREP Media Group. All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers
 

Loading Comments...