Evaluation of the N ij Neck Injury Criteria with Human Response Data for Use in Future Research on Helmet Mounted Display Mass Properties

Abstract

Technological advances have enabled components to be added to Helmet Mounted Displays (HMDs) that provide increased pilot capability. Future Air Force fighter aircraft are being developed to incorporate added technologies that could result in heavier and bulkier HMDs. The added weight and center of gravity changes to the pilot’s helmet ensemble from these additional components place the neck at an increased risk of injury during ejection. This paper outlines a preliminary research methodology studying the human neck response data from the Air Force Research Laboratory’s extensive human impact testing database using the N_ij criteria as an evaluative tool. Initial results are presented.

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