Both of these systems have been deployed to the fleet and have already saved lives. These systems are noteworthy for the protection that they provide to the disabled and unconscious aircrew member landing in the water. These suits now provide better cold weather protection and are more acceptable and comfortable to the wearer. A quick donning antiexposure garment that provides full protection against environmental threats is being developed for long flight mission aircraft where emergency landings might involve a long period before rescue. In-water survival will be improved by the hooded miniraft which can be vacuum packaged into a compact volume easily stowed on the seat or carried by the crew member.
HEED gives the crew member a source of breathable air to help during aircraft evacuation.
These and other technologies are being developed to keep abreast of new and changing environments and weapons that threaten aircrew survivability. Faster speeds and higher accelerations, nap of the earth flying, vertical takeoffs and landings, etc. have taxed and challenged the engineer's and scientist's ability to conceive and develop aviation life support equipment that protects the aircrew member when an emergency arises. Other threats which use laser, nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons technology also are influencing the future direction of escape and survival systems. The University of Iowa. All rights reserved.