Integrated G-Suit/Immersion Suit

Canadian Forces CF aircrew flying CF18 and CF5 aircraft are required to wear anti-G suits to provide protection against the effects of high G forces experienced during air combat manoeuvers ACM. They are also required to wear immersion suits with the G suits on domestic coastal operations to provide protection against hypothermia in the event of an emergency involving ejection and water landing. The standard CF anti-G suit was worn over the immersion suit, which being bulky, created discomfort and contributed to reduced G protection this combination does not permit proper G suit fit on the wearer. National Defense Headquarters NDHQ tasked the Medical Life Support Division MLSD of this Institute DCIEM to develop a Canadian anti-G suit incorporating fixtures which would allow the anti-G suit to be worn under the immersion. MLSD identified suitable hardware to suit. In conjunction with MLSD support, a Canadian Aerospace Company manufactured two prototype anti-G suits which were successfully integrated with the immersion suit. Subsequent to favourable comments from initial flights trials, NDHQ directed MLSD to procure 20 modified anti-G suits for user trial by designated CF18 and CF5 aircraft squadrons. As a consequence of user trial acceptance, NDHQ has ordered sufficient quantities of the modified anti-G suit and associated immersion suit interface hardware to meet a foreseeable operational requirement. Keywords Protective clothing Flight suits Environment suit.