The U.S. Navy purchased a new contract for helmets meant to replace ones that have been around for decades and improve the safety aboard all fixed-wing jets, a Navy release announced.
The service awarded a $22.6 million contract to Gentex Corporation for more than 5,000 Next-Generation Fixed Wing Helmet, or NGFWH, systems to be utilized inside all Navy fixed wing aircraft.
“By utilizing a lighter, more balanced carbon-fiber shell, we are significantly reducing the long-term physical toll on our aviators,” said Capt. Joseph Kamara, Naval Aircrew Systems program manager. “This isn’t just a piece of safety gear; it’s a modular platform that allows us to rapidly integrate the next generation of digital cockpit technology without needing to field an entirely new helmet every few years.”
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The new helmets will help phase out the HGU-55/P and HGU-68P legacy helmets that have been around for decades, the release said.
Aside from improving aircrew health, the helmets will assist with increased combat effectiveness.
Specifically, the carbon fiber-made shell will reduce the weight the helmet places on a pilot’s head, reducing neck and back strain; while the helmet’s internal liner will ensure the helmet remains in place when the pilot is experiencing high G-force. This security also guarantees that night vision and flight data displays within the helmet remain secure.
The helmet has a modular design that allows it to be more easily updated to include future equipment updates and enhanced communication systems.
