HX-21 aircrew and test engineer members: AWS1 Jacob Hill, Kristen Finnegan, AWS2 Lyle Hewitt, Nick Andrew, LT Mike Lindsey, AWR2 Bryce Dworshak, LCDR Jason Elfe, LT Tim Boyce. (U.S. Navy photo)
PMA-202 Marks First Shipboard Flight Test with JSAM RW Next Generation CB Respirator
NORFOLK, Virginia - Six MH-60S aircrew members from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron TWO ONE (HX-21) completed the first shipboard evaluation of the Joint Service Aircrew Mask Rotary Wing (JSAM RW), a next generation chemical and biological protective respirator.
The flight test period took place Nov. 1-3 off the coast of Virginia with the USS COLE (DDG-67), and consisted of day and night landings aboard the COLE. The test team completed numerous landings during the three-day evaluation and included operations with night vision devices. The evaluation helped to determine the effects on aircraft operations in the shipboard environment due to the reduced field-of-view, aircrew mobility restrictions, and comfort while wearing the chemical/biological protective ensemble.
Engineers and technicians from the Aircrew Systems Program Office (PMA-202), NAVAIR's Integrated Systems Evaluation Experimentation and Test Department (AIR-5.1), Human Systems Department (AIR-4.6), Joint Program Manager Protection, and Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force, provided support to the HX-21 test team.
The mask is part of a service member’s full Mission-Oriented Protective Posture IV equipment, used during a chemical or biological strike. JSAM RW, which is being developed by Avox Systems, will replace the currently fielded A/P22P-14 respirator for Navy/Marine Corps rotary wing aircraft.