Pilot Study: Foam Wedge Chin Support Static Tolerance Testing

Along with the development of helmet-mounted technologies, new generations of aviator helmets have seen an increase in weight and the forward displacement of helmet center of gravity. Along with these changes, complaints of neck pain thought to be due to these new helmet-mounted display helmets have increased in recent years. To pursue a solution to this, Defence Research and Development Canada came up with a high-level concept of attaching a foam wedge to the chest to support the helmet weight. The U.S. Air Force, in collaboration with Defence Research and Development Canada, has since pursued this concept and created a foam wedge prototype to mitigate the increase in helmet weight and forward center of gravity. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the feasibility and tolerability of the foam wedge prototype. The results of this study are meant to determine whether further research should be pursued into the application of the foam wedge chin support.