Biodynamic and Cognitive Impact of Long Duration Wear of the JSF Helmet Mounted Display During Normal Flight Operations Navy SBIR FY2008.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2008.1 Topic No.: N08-031 Topic Title: Biodynamic and Cognitive Impact of Long Duration Wear of the JSF Helmet Mounted Display During Normal Flight Operations Proposal No.: N081-031-0504 Firm: SDS International, Inc. 1320 Central Park Boulevard Suite 300 Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401 Contact: Fred Patterson Phone: (251) 929-3903 Web Site: www.atdlink.com Abstract: Helmet mounted displays (HMDs) were originally designed with the intent of providing critical flight information to pilots throughout an entire mission. Benefits: Development of a scientific measurement technique to determine the physical and cognitive effects of short term and extended usage of the JSF head mounted system, will help optimize JSF pilot performance and further enable anthropometric and cognitive compatibility within the JSF cockpit. This effort will also assist the Navy and Marine Corps with screening pilot candidates, preventing pilot spatial disorientation, and reducing the risk of in-flight head and neck injuries. Development of the HMD Mass Index (HMDMI) will:  Prevent pilot injury/strain caused by excessive HMD mass ratio distributed over time.  Reduce incidences of pilot spatial disorientation by identifying compatible spatial cues/strategies used in conjunction with HMD systems.  Provide an anthropometric guideline to the stature and neck strength required of pilots for high g-load missions over time.  Prevent/Reduce aircraft incidents/accidents that may be caused by HMD strain/interference during flight.  Decrease costs associated with missed/delayed training, injury/strain treatment, lost wages / disability pay. Potential civilian beneficiaries of the HMDMI would include:  Civilian air fleets that utilize HMD technology (direct transition)  Civilian air fleets that require pilots to wear helmets (i.e. - helmet weight can be correlated to HMD weight)  Auto racing industry (i.e. - helmet mass and loading ratios during steep bank turns and crash impact)  Police, fire fighters, FBI, and other service personnel that are required to wear helmets over long periods of time in unfavorable conditions.  Motorcycle helmet wearers (i.e. - helmet mass and loading ratios during steep bank turns and crash impact) With respect to the broadened use of the HMDMI among other DOD components, it would be relatively straightforward for SDS to transition these benefits to other military programs. Return