Accommodation of females in the high-G environment: The USAF Female Acceleration Tolerance Enhancement (FATE) Project

Background. In 1993, the U.S. Secretary of Defense opened combat aircraft a ssignments to women. To verify the adequacy of acceleration (+Gz) protectio n for female high-G aircrew, USAF investigators conducted fit tests of stan dard and developmental G-protective equipment and determined the effectiven ess of a unique laboratory modification (AL Mod) of the standard (CSU-13B/P ) anti-G suit during gender-comparative centrifuge evaluations. Methods: In vestigators determined relaxed +Gz tolerance and straining endurance to +4. 5 to +7 Gz and +5 to +9 Gz simulated aerial combat maneuver (SACM) centrifu ge profiles (4.5-7 SACM: 8 females and 10 males; and 5-9 SACM: 6 females an d 8 males, respectively). Additionally, in the 5-9 SACM study, between and within gender SACM endurance differences were assessed before and after fem ale subjects' use of the AL Mod. Ten female subjects also were fit tested I n extended coverage, developmental G-protective equipment. Results: There w as no gender difference In 4.5-7 SACM endurance. Male 5-9 SACM endurance ex ceeded that of females in the unmodified CSU-13B/P (p < 0.05), but gender p arity was achieved when females wore the AL Mod. Fit modifications of devel opmental G-protective equipment were not required, but smaller sizes of the standard CSU-13B/P and a developmental anti-G suit were indicated and deve loped. Conclusion: In properly fitted anti-C suits, gender parity in SACM e ndurance is achievable; however, full accommodation of female aircrew in th e high-G environment will require the AL Mod and/or smaller sized anti-G su its.