USAF showcases new chemical and biological suit for F-35 pilots | IHS Jane's 360

Chem-Bio protective suit for the F-35 pilots.

The US Air Force (USAF) revealed the new chemical and biological (CB) protective suit to be worn by pilots of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

The outfit, which was showcased on the service's website on 2 February, also features a Joint Service Aircrew Mask, a pilot-mounted CB air filter, a communications device, and CB socks and gloves double taped at the wrists, all to be worn in addition to the pilot's sleeved flight jacket and g -suit. The outfit also features a filtered air blower that protects the pilot from CB contamination while walking to the aircraft.

With flight tests having now commenced at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) in California, pilots from the 461st Flight Test Squadron (FTS) are collecting data on how much thermal stress is added to the pilot with the CB ensemble on and the affect the additional gear may have on flying the aircraft.

The US Marine Corps (USMC) has loaned an F-35B aircraft from Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma, Arizona for the trials, which began on 6 January.

"The first pilot stepped to a 'clean' jet in the CB ensemble and we contaminated it using a simulated agent. The engine run pulls in the simulant so we need to make sure the air is filtered before it gets to the pilot. First, the air goes through the [On-Board Oxygen Generation System] and then the pilot-mounted CB filter to remove any remaining contaminants. There is another filtered air supply blower that provides cooling and demist air to the pilot's hood and goggles. We also used three air sampling devices to be sure all the air provided to the pilot was clean," the USAF said, adding that after the ground test a second pilot boarded the simulated 'dirty jet', before conducting an engine start-up and departing for a test flight.