Evaluation of the Effects of Variable Helmet Weight on Human Response During Lateral +Gy Impact

Affiliations

¹Air Force Research Laboratory

²General Dynamics, Inc., 5200 Springfield Pke, Ste 200, Dayton OH 45431-1265

Links

URL: http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a422239.pdf

Abstract and keywords

Helmet-mounted systems (HMS) are designed to enhance pilot performance, but also may affect pilot safety by increasing the potential for neck injury during ejection due to the change in helmet inertial propreties. A series of tests was conducted by AFRL/HEPA on a horizontal impulse accelerator using human subjects to investigate the effects of helmet inertial propreties on human response to short duration sideward impacts of variable magniture. The effects of headrest contour and gender were also investigated. Maximum neck load values obtained in this study will be used to establish head/neck injury criteria for helmet-mounted systems and for the implementation of improvements in bracing techniques to minimize pilot injury during ejections.

Keywords: Helmet Mounted Systems; Impact Acceleration; Helmet Weight; Ejection Injury; Gender Acceleration Effects; Pilot Bracing; Headrest Properties

Cited Works (4)

Year	Entry
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Cited By (3)

Year	Entry
2011	Barker DJ, Albery C. Neck Fatigue and Comfort Effects Due to the Extended Wear of Law Enforcement Representative Head-Borne Personal Protective Equipment. Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD: Development And Engineering Command, U.S. Army Research, Chemical Biological Center, Edgewood; July 2011. Report No. ECBC-TR-825.
2004	Doczy E, Mosher S, Buhrman J. The effects of variable helmet weight and subject bracing on neck loading during frontal -Gx impact. In: Proceedings of the 42nd Annual Safe Association Symposium. September 27-28, 2004; Salt Lake City, UT.186-192.
2008	Gallagher HL, Caldwell E, Albery CB. Neck Muscle Fatigue Resulting from Prolonged Wear of Weighted Helmets. Wright-Patterson AFB, OH: Biomechanics Branch, Biosciences and Protection Division, Human Effectiveness Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory; June 2008. Report No. AFRL-RH-WP-TR-2008-0096.