An Interface Evaluation of the XM-29Protective Mask and the AH-1S Telescopic Sight Unit.

摘要

A field evaluation was conducted to determine the effect of the XM-29 protective mask on the mission performance of pilots in scout utility, and attack helicopters. The pilots flew air cavalry-type training missions while wearing the XM-29 and the M-24 protective mask. The evaluation was in accordance with unit training requirements, safety requirements and published standard operating procedures. The maneuvers we evaluated included; hovering, out-of-ground effect hovering, nap-of-the-earth flight, aerial reconnaissance and target engagement with BTM 71A1 (inert TOW missile). Objective performance assessments were made by each pilot and his safety pilot. Subjective data was collected by using a bipolar adjective technique, debriefings and panel discussions. The data collected indicates an apparent user preference for the XM-29 protective mask.