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.: N081-031-0226 Firm: Infoscitex Corporation 303 Bear Hill Road Waltham, Massachusetts 02451-1016 Contact: Kristen LeRoy Phone: (781) 890-1338 Web Site: www.infoscitex.com Abstract: Unites States Navy, United States Air Force, and European Air Force have documented neck injury rates of 50% or higher ranging from minor neck strain to cervical vertebral fracture. Lighter helmets were developed and implemented in hopes of reducing injuries, but the modern trend has been to mount all the critical information and symbology on the helmet. The neck load limits under operational conditions are unknown, so the Infoscitex team is developing a methodology for establishing measurement techniques to determine the physical and cognitive effects of long duration wear of the helmets during flight missions, and how that may impact pilot performance. IST has assembled a distinguished team to address this proposal. We are proposing a novel approach to meeting the requirements called for in the solicitation. At the conclusion of Phase II, we will have demonstrated our measurement techniques in a ground-based dynamic flight simulator. Benefits: The benefits of this new methodology are many. Of significant note is being able to optimize pilot performance and endurance in a tactical maneuvering environment. This technology has very broad applications across multiple military systems. The measurement techniques developed will eventually lead to definition of pilot helmet system requirements and will be informative to flight simulator training, as well as enhanced flight simulators including the one Infoscitex is developing. Studying the performance variables established during dynamic simulation exercises will help to quantify pilot skill retention during long duration missions. Return