Engineers with the 46th Test Squadron and the 28th Test and Evaluation Squadron are conducting a series of tests to validate the performance of the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation fixed wing-helmet.
During the developmental flight tests, five pilots from the 301st Fighter Squadron flew the F-22A Raptor wearing the LIFT Airborne Technologies-manufactured headgear, which will replace the Air Force’s current HGU-55 aircrew helmet system, the service branch said Monday.
Maj. Brett Gedman of the 301st Fighter Squadron said the lightweight helmet provides increased visibility and mobility that make the technology a “massive improvement” over the previous system.
“It is clear this has been a generational leap in technology that the fighter pilot deserves, which is long overdue,” Gedman said.
Flight advancements, including night-vision goggle mounts, are standard on the new helmet.
LIFT secured a prototype development contract for its NGFWH design from the Air Force in July 2022.
