The U.S. Navy has chosen the Gentex Pursuit helmet because the Subsequent Era Mounted Wing Helmet (NGFWH) to equip flight crews of E-2D, F/A-18, E/A-18G, T-45, T-6 and UJTS.
Gentex Company has introduced that the U.S. Navy’s Naval Aircrew Programs program workplace (PMA-202) chosen its Pursuit helmet because the Subsequent Era Mounted Wing Helmet (NGFWH). The brand new helmet will exchange the HGU-68P, additionally made by Gentex, throughout the E-2D, F/A-18, E/A-18G, T-45, T-6 and, in future, the Undergraduate Jet Coaching System (UJTS) fleets.
Following the choice, the corporate was awarded a 5-year Indefinite Supply, Indefinite Amount (ID/IQ) contract to ship over 5,000 NGFWH techniques and related spares. The contract, awarded below PMA-202’s Helmet Masks Regulator (HMR) program and protecting each Low-Charge Preliminary Manufacturing (LRIP) and Full-Charge Manufacturing (FRP), is anticipated to whole roughly $22 million.
“This contract award from the US Navy is a major milestone for Gentex and demonstrates our unwavering dedication to advancing the world’s most modern safety options for warfighters,” stated Robert McCay, Vice President of Aircrew Programs at Gentex Company. “The PURSUIT system delivers significant developments in aircrew security, consolation, and mission efficiency, guaranteeing Naval Aviators and Naval Flight Officers are outfitted with know-how that retains tempo with the quickly evolving calls for of recent aviation. We’re honored to proceed our trusted partnership with the US Navy and look ahead to offering the US navy and worldwide allies with the PURSUIT Helmet System for many years to return.”
Subsequent Era Mounted Wing Helmet
The Subsequent Era Mounted Wing Helmet (NGFWH) program has been in movement for some years now, with the fielding initially anticipated to start by 2025. This system is led by the Naval Aircrew Programs program workplace (PMA-202) as a part of the Helmet Masks Regulator (HMR) initiative.
In late 2024, Gentex was awarded an Different Transaction Settlement (OTA) to finish qualification and obtain airworthiness and manufacturing readiness {qualifications}. As a observe on, Naval Air Programs Command (NAVAIR) stated in early 2025 it might negotiate a Agency Mounted Value (FFP) contract to Gentex for the Low Charge of Preliminary Manufacturing (LRIP) procurement of NGFWH, saying the corporate is the only real supply to satisfy necessities on a well timed foundation and in a price efficient method.
Equally to the homonymous Air Pressure program, the Navy’s NGFWH was envisioned as a lighter, superior and adaptable helmet to deal with neck and backbone pressure points in addition to ejection harm dangers. These are each attributed additionally to the imbalance brought on by the mixing of Helmet Mounted Shows (HMD) and Evening Imaginative and prescient Googles (NVG).
To realize a greater steadiness, Gentex says it has labored with numerous HMD producers with the objective of attaining 600 KEAS (Knots Equal Air Velocity) safety. The corporate additionally says the helmet was developed trough intensive collaboration with each the Navy and Air Pressure, in addition to undisclosed worldwide companions.
The brand new helmet is manufactured from a light-weight carbon shell, coupled with an enhanced air flow system and inner padding. The Pursuit helmet is available in 4 sizes, meant to be match for as much as 99% aircrews, and incorporates a Modular Open System Strategy (MOSA) for seamless integration of present and future HMDs, superior communications techniques, and optical and respiratory safety.
Among the many HMD techniques at the moment supported are the Gentex Pursuit Slick, Thales Scorpion, Collins Elbit Imaginative and prescient Programs JHMCS, and Collins Elbit Imaginative and prescient Programs Zero-G HMDS+. The JHMCS is at the moment the usual HMD system utilized by F/A-18 and EA-18G aircrews.
As talked about within the opening, the Pursuit helmet will probably be fielded throughout the E-2D, F/A-18, E/A-18G, T-45, T-6 and, in future, the Undergraduate Jet Coaching System (UJTS) fleets as the brand new normal issued helmet. The checklist doesn’t embody the F-35 as its pilots have a devoted helmet.
Improved Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System
An effort which has a detailed relationship to NGFWH is the Improved Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (IJHMCS). This system, equally led by the Naval Aircrew Programs Program Workplace (PMA-202), is supposed to equip F/A-18 and EA-18G crews with a an HMD lighter in weight with a greater middle of gravity to cut back potential for pilot again and neck accidents.
The Navy awarded a $16.8 million contract July 28, 2023, to Collins Elbit Imaginative and prescient Programs for the design and growth of the IJHMCS. In response to the contract solicitation, the brand new system is particularly meant for Block III F/A-18E/F and EA-18G plane, with modifications restricted solely to the system’s shell, with out touching the electronics.
“The contract necessities are to change the helmet mounted parts related to the Joint Helmet Mounting Cueing System (JHMCS) for Block III F/A-18E/F and EA-18G plane to cut back head supported weight and enhance helmet middle of gravity (CG) with NO modifications to the JHMCS Electronics Unit (EU). Efforts additionally embody alternative of the analog wiring interface with a digital wiring interface from the plane EU to the helmet. The modified system shall meet all different present JHMCS necessities and be appropriate with present JHMCS aircraft-mounted gear.”
— NAVAIR
NAVAIR launched in 2023 a picture of the IJHMCS, which seems based mostly on Collins Elbit Imaginative and prescient Programs’ Zero-G HMDS+, put in on the brand new NGFWH made by Gentex. On that event, the Navy stated it deliberate to subject the brand new system in 2025, leveraging efforts from the Air Pressure Subsequent Era Mounted Wing (NGFW) helmet program.
“This improve will considerably scale back head and neck well being points for our aircrews which are related to the legacy JHMCS system, whereas offering improved show capabilities and reliability for a vital warfighting system,” stated Capt. Carey Castelein, then PMA-202 program supervisor.
The hassle, described as a know-how refresh, has additionally the objective of changing the legacy JHMCS and JHMCS NVCD (Evening Imaginative and prescient Cueing and Show) with a single high-definition day and evening shade show. With the legacy system, aircrews have to interchange parts on the helmet to modify from a day to nighttime configuration and vice versa.
“The day and evening functionality related to IJHMCS won’t solely present our aircrews with a light-weight, digital answer, however may also present elevated situational consciousness all through missions and improved reliability, because the aviators won’t be required to take away and exchange system parts in flight,” stated Brad Schieferdecker, PMA-202 imaginative and prescient techniques crew lead.
