Accession Number:

AD0701904

Title:

SOLAR HEAT LOAD ON AVIATOR'S HELMETS (APH-5)

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

AIR VEHICLE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH TEAM NATICK MA

Personal Author(s):

• Woodcock, Alan H.
• Senna, Jozef F.

Report Date:

1960-09-01

Pagination or Media Count:

6.0

Abstract:

The document is concerned with solar radiation testing of the APH-5 helmet, a currently authorized item of issue to Army Aviators. It is a close- fitting helmet with little or no ventilation that contains considerable styrofoam and other padding material of high thermal insulating capacity. Even in a cool environment, the wearer finds the helmet warm. In a warm environment, or in the bright sunlight, the head sweats and the wearer becomes uncomfortably warm to a degree which may affect performance or lead him to lay his helmet aside. The helmet is painted OD and it was desired to ascertain whether the solar load to the head would be decreased, with significant benefits to the wearer, if the helmet were painted white or some other color of high reflectivity.

Descriptors:

• *HELMETS
• *SOLAR RADIATION
• ABSORPTION
• ARMY RESEARCH
• AVIATION SAFETY
• COLORS
• COOLING
• ENVIRONMENTAL TESTS
• FLIGHT CREWS
• HUMAN FACTORS ENGINEERING
• MATERIALS
• PAINTS
• PERSPIRATION
• TEMPERATURE
• TEST METHODS
• THERMAL INSULATION

Subject Categories:

• Protective Equipment

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE