F-35 JPO to test new light weight HMDS this month

A new light weight Generation III Helmet-Mounted Display System for the F-35 will be tested this month. The new helmet design is meant to mitigate the issue with the jet’s ejection seat system.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Brad Matherne, a pilot with the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron, taxis an F-35A Lightning II aircraft before its first operational training mission April 4, 2013, at Nellis Air Force 130404-F-KX404-037
By SrA Brett Clashman [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Currently, pilots weighing less than 136 pounds are barred from piloting the jet as the weight of the current helmet could cause damage their necks during ejection.