The advanced flight helmet—designated the “Next-Generation Fixed-Wing Helmet” (NGFWH)—will be manufactured by the Gentex Corporation in Carbondale, Pennsylvania.

Military flight helmets have evolved almost as much as aircraft over the past century. In the first days of air combat, pilots sat in open-top cockpits and wore little more than leather caps, which provided warmth rather than any protection. Today’s flight helmets are designed to protect the wearer’s head from windblast and trauma during emergency ejection, with visors that block intense sunlight, flashes, lasers, and even debris.

Beyond protection, the latest helmets also project critical data onto the visor, allowing the pilot to see it in any direction.

About the US Navy’s New “NGFWH” Helmets

US Navy aviators will soon wear the Next-Generation Fixed-Wing Helmet (NGFWH), developed by Gentex Corporation. The sea service selected the PURSUIT Helmet System for use across nearly all of its fixed-wing aircraft, including the E-2D, F/A-18, E/A-18G, T-45, T-6, and the in-development Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS).

As part of a newly awarded $22.6 million contract, the Carbondale, Pennsylvania-based company will produce more than 5,000 of NGFWH systems, along with spare parts and support, to the US Navy.

“The firm-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract is intended streamline and modernize life-support capabilities for fixed-wing aircrews and will eventually replace the aging HGU-55/P and HGU-68P legacy helmets, which have served as the fleet standard for decades,” Naval Air Systems Command explained.

The NGFWH offers several advantages over current helmets and was developed to improve the wearer’s combat effectiveness.

Each helmet is made of carbon fiber to reduce headborne weight and was designed to optimize the center of gravity to mitigate chronic neck and back strain that can occur during long-duration missions. The liner system was also designed to remain secure during high-G maneuvers, ensuring night vision sensors and flight data displays remain visible.

“The NGFWH is a leap forward in aircrew ergonomics. 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 (PMA-202) 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.”

The Helmet Has a Modular Design—and Could Be Upgraded Later

The US Navy’s new fixed-wing helmet features a modular design to ensure “long-term operational relevance,” meaning it can integrate emerging head-mounted displays that may enter service.

“This contract award from the US Navy is a significant milestone for Gentex and demonstrates our unwavering commitment to advancing the world’s most innovative protection solutions for warfighters,” said Robert McCay, Vice President of Aircrew Systems at Gentex Corporation. “The PURSUIT system delivers meaningful advancements in aircrew safety, comfort, and mission performance, ensuring Naval Aviators and Naval Flight Officers are equipped with technology that keeps pace with the rapidly evolving demands of modern aviation.”

Naval Aircrew Systems Program Office (PMA-202), the NAVAIR division responsible for developing, testing, and fielding equipment that protects and sustains Navy/Marine Corps aircrew and maintainers, is overseeing the contract, covering both Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) and Full-Rate Production (FRP).

Next-Gen Helmets Are Becoming Standard Across the Service Branches

The US Navy isn’t the only service that has adopted a new helmet in recent years.

In 2023, the US Air Force also began testing an advanced helmet developed by LIFT Airborne Technologies with aviators at Eglin Air Force Base (AFB), Florida. That pilot brain bucket was designed to replace the “HGU-55” helmet, the standard helmet for all Air Force aircrew except F-35 Lightning II pilots, which is now more than 40 years old.

Last year, F-22 Raptor pilots in the Hawaii Air National Guard also began experimenting with the new “Scorpion” helmet-mounted display (HMD), intended to decrease reaction time during critical moments in the sky. If the Hawaiian tests are successful, other F-22 pilots are expected to wear the Scorpion as well.

All US Armed Forces F-35 pilots use a custom-made, advanced helmet that costs more than $400,000 and requires two days of specialized custom fittings.

About the Author: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a 30-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a contributing writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.

Image: Wikimedia Commons.

The post US Navy Pilots Are Getting a New High-Tech Flight Helmet appeared first on The National Interest.