Have you ever heard of a helmet that costs $400,000? Well, for the most expensive aircraft program in the world (the F-35) it would make sense that it also comes with the most expensive fighter pilot helmet ever.
Watch What the F-35 Helmet Can Do
Apparently, the $400,000 helmet, while being very cool is also causing a problem for Navy and Marine Corp pilots when they land on ships at night. Navy and Marine Corp pilots discovered that the ‘symbology’ on the helmet was too bright and distracting while landing at night. A fix is in the works but apparently not fully ready.
During the final developmental test phase for the F-35C aboard the carrier George Washington in August, officials told Military.com they were testing a new software load specifically designed to address the F-35 helmet’s “green glow” problem, which can make it difficult for pilots to detect outside light sources and the cues they need to land their aircraft safely.
While testers were hopeful at the time the problem was solved, Bogdan said officials are not yet satisfied.
“The symbology on the helmet, even when turned down as low as it can, is still a little too bright,” he said. “We want to turn down that symbology so that it’s not so bright that they can’t see through it to see the lights, but if you turn it down too much, then you start not being able to see the stuff you do want to see. We have an issue there, there’s no doubt.” – Dod Buzz
Lt. Col. Christine Mau, 33rd Operations Group deputy commander, puts on the F-35 helmet before taking her first flight in the F-35A at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida 2015. Mau, who previously flew F-15E Strike Eagles, made history as the first female F-35 pilot in the program. Photo by the US Air Force
Featured image of Capt. Brad Matherne, 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron pilot, inside an F-35A Lightning II by the US Air Force