This outfit will protect F-35 pilots from chemical and biological agents

After a decade of planning, design, and build-up testing, the suit ensemble that will protect F-35 pilots from chemical/biological agents.

U.S. Air Force photo by Brad White

The 461st Flight Test Squadron recently tested out the suit at Edwards Air Force Base using a F-35B as the variant’s “equipment is more complicated and basically has more nooks and crannies for the contaminant to hide in.”

“We’ve developed procedures on who needs to help the pilot; how many people are needed to support the logistics trail; how many people are needed to help the pilot don the equipment and how many people will be needed in the Life Support unit. We’ve also noted how many Airmen may be needed to escort the pilot out to the aircraft and recover the aircraft. We helped a lot with the F-35 concept of operations,” said Lauren Gilmore, 461st FLTS, flight test engineer.