Thermal strain and G protection associated with wearing an enhanced anti-G protection system in a warm climate

A flight trial was conducted in Cyprus to assess the thermal strain associated with and the G protection provided by the prototype Eurofighter 2000 aircrew equipment assembly (AEA) in a warm climate. Six subjects flew a standardized sortie four times in a Hawk aircraft: two while wearing the Eurofighter 2000 AEA and two wearing standard Hawk summer AEA. The sortie included high-G turns and simulated air combat. Cockpit temperatures, rectal and skin temperatures, heart rate, and sweat rate were recorded. Subjective thermal comfort, fatigue, and G protection were also assessed. Skin temperatures of the back, chest and thighs, mean skin temperatures, and sweat rate were greater when the Eurofighter AEA was worn. Rectal temperature and heart rate did not differ significantly between the two conditions. Superior G protection was provided by the Eurofighter assembly. These findings suggest that wearing the Eurofighter AEA in a warm climate is associated with an increased but not unacceptable level of thermal stress while offering enhanced G protection. These results may not generalize when ambient temperatures are higher or more insulative protective clothing is worn.