New Pilot Oxygen Masks ???

[MJG]

Just curious about this for my own useless knowledge. When did the fighter guys switch to this different kind of O2 mask?? Seems like mostly AF pilots that I've seen wearing this new mask. It's got the hose coming out the side of the mask unlike the old school one that everyone else seems to still use with the straight hose out the bottom. Looks like something the Europeans have been wearing for quite a while.

 

[JungleJett]

A while ago. It is called the Combat Edge System and is part of an total ensemble worn. The mask in particular is MBU-20P. You can switch the hose from side to side. The HGU-55/P is the helmet and newer ones have an integrated nape strap (which is quite nice) and an inflatable bladder in the lower rear portion of the helmet. It inflates via the same source as the mask.

As a C130 guy we do not wear these (we do wear helmets and O2 mask doing high alititude drops). The fighter guys get these.

I have one from a friend.

Here is a link to Gentex..the maker.

www.gentexcorp.com

 

[Swede]

I've heard that combat edge kicks butt. At high sustained G-loadings, it apparently allows one to communicate better and not devote 80% of your effort just to staying conscious.

Here's a quote from their web site: "Gentex COMBAT EDGE Manworn Components interface with the Combat Edge aircraft-mounted breathing regulator and anti-G valve. When the anti-G valve senses increasing pressure beyond the operational threshold level of 4 G, it sends a pressure signal to the regulator which increases the pressure of the oxygen-enriched air that the pilot breathes up to a maximum of 1.2 psi above ambient. During PBG, pressurized breathing gas is simultaneously routed by the Integrated Terminal Block to the Oxygen Mask and mask tensioning bladder in the rear of the Helmet, and to the Counterpressure Vest which inflates to apply pressure to the pilot's chest to balance the breathing pressure supplied to the lungs. This counter- pressure prevents forced expansion of the chest cavity and significantly reduces the work of breathing under pressure. Combat Edge thus keeps pressure in the pilot's chest cavity to help the heart pump blood to the eyes and brain and inhibits the downward blood flow. While Combat Edge does not replace the straining maneuver of tensing the upper body muscles and abdomen normally used during high-G flight, it significantly reduces the effort required to execute it, thus providing the pilot greater endurance to Gs while reducing the fatigue that can compromise mission performance."

Sounds effective.

 

[Fury220]

Another good thing about the new mask is that its CG is closer to the pilot's face. I heard the old ones (I've never used one) used to rotate away from your face, causing breathing problems.

With the mask CG closer to your mouth, it's less likely to pull away from you. The bladder in the back of the helmet would also help a great deal, I imagine.

 

[MJG]

Thanks for the great info. I had no idea that they had advanced the technology that far.

Well while we're on the topic of useless info that I've always wanted to know about fighters, here's two more quick questions:

Are the cockpits (can you even use that word these days?) of fighters pressurized ??

-and-

Do fighters have any kind of anti-ice systems like an airliner? IOW are the leading edges heated with bleed air? If not, can a fighter, like an F-15 operate in icing conditions??

 

[Mongoose69]

Combat Edge mask and other Qs

Personally, I dislike the Combat Edge mask. The lower seal on the mask is actually right under your bottom lip (instead of below the chin) and it tends to be uncomfortable. Another drawback is that when you drop the mask, it doesn't swing all the way to the side as the previous mask did. So when you're trying to get your snack on @ FL350, you end up getting little bits of <insert your favorite in-flight snack here> in your mask if you're not careful. And FWIW, the entire Combat Edge system wasn't designed to enable pilots to handle higher (total) g. It was designed to allow aircrew to handle relatively high (>6) g for a longer period of time, or for more cycles while reducing fatigue. The only time I felt it was usefull was in a BFM trip-turn surge. That last sortie you just get worn down.

As far as the other questions:

Yes, most modern fighter cockpits (we do use the word occasionally) are pressurized. (From my experience only: F-15C/E, F-16, F-18. Don't know about the A-10 or foreign fighters, but I'd imagine they are the same) It's not the same pressurization schedule as your garden variety commercial airliner, but it is pressurized.

The F-15 does not have de-icing equipment. We can only fly in no or trace icing, and even then regs require us to climb or descend out of any area with known/reported icing. I don't know about any other fighters.

Cheers,
Mongoose

 

[potrack]

Anybody remember the old green ones with the hard plastic exterior shell?

I think it was the MBU-5P??

Ahhhhh, the good ole days............