Air Force Research Lab biomedical engineers are working with the Air Force Human Systems Group and helmet-manufacturer Gentex to design and test a breakaway version of the Gentex chin-nape strap. The trick, say AFRL officials, is to develop a strap that ensures the helmet stays on long enough during high-speed ejection from an aircraft but not so long that it leads to neck injuries. The new strap’s metal buckle is designed to break away at a “predetermined force level to minimize stress on a pilot’s neck.”
The Air Force wants to promote working out, healthy eating habits, and a holistic approach to well-being for both Airmen and Guardians as part of a new “Culture of Fitness” initiative announced Sept. 18.
