IMPROVED ANTI-G PROTECTION BOOSTS SORTIE GENERATION ABILITY

Background: There is a need for evaluation oi new G protection equipme nt. Hypothesis: There is no difference between the two anti-C ensemble s on affecting subjects' ability to tolerate multiple simulated aerial combat sorties. Methods: There were 15 subjects wearing the standard CSU-13B/P anti-C ensemble (STD) or COMBAT EDGE/ATAGS (CE/ ATAGS) ensem ble who were exposed to 3 centrifuge-based simulated air combat sortie s during a 2-h period. Each sortie consisted of four different C-profi les: 1) a gradual onset profile; 2) simulated air combat maneuver cons isting of +4.5 to +7 Gz plateaus (4.5-7 SACM); 3) simulated air combat maneuver derived from actual fighter maneuvers with peaks up to +9 Gz (TACM); 4) simulated air combat maneuver consisting of 5.0 to +9.0 Gz plateaus (5-9 SACM). Each sortie was separated by a 20-min rest perio d. We measured heart rate, peripheral light loss (PLL), subjective eff ort level, subjective fatigue level, and reported recovery time. Resul ts: There were no incidents of unintended G-induced loss of consciousn ess (G-LOC) with CE/ATAGS. There were four incidents of unintended G-L OC with STD. At the end of the third sortie, with CE/ ATACS, mean hear t rate was lower during the 4.5-7 SACM (p < 0.001) and the TACM (p < 0 .001); PLL was less during ail three rapid onset profiles (p < 0.01); subjects reported less effort during the 4.5-7 SACM (p < 0.001), the T ACM and the 5-9 SACM (p < 0.01); reported fatigue was significantly lo wer (p < 0.001); and reported recovery times were nearly halved (p < 0 .01). Conclusion: CE/ATAGS provided significantly greater C-protection than the standard anti-C ensemble. There was no G-LOC with CE/ATAGS. This greater protection should be of significant operational value in enhancing sortie generation capability by increasing fighter aircrew C -tolerance and decreasing aircrew fatigue.