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[Lawman]

Gentex updating HGU-56/P

26 reactions | Evolving with the mission. Hear from Marcus Gengler, Segment Director for Rotary Wing Applications at Gentex, on new enhancements to the HGU-56/P helmet that continue our commitment to advancing aircrew safety and performance. #Gentex

Evolving with the mission. Hear from Marcus Gengler, Segment Director for Rotary Wing Applications at Gentex, on new enhancements to the HGU-56/P helmet that continue our commitment to advancing...

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Great…. Said no one ever…

Hey you guys get noise canceling tech and hear through function so I can actually use these without having to mod the shit out of them? No? Great job guys…

 

[ChuckMK23]

I predict Leonardo is simply waiting for the landscape to shake out a bit. But my guess is the requirements would make the Thrasher too complex for what Army envisions on an ab initio training aircraft. Which is why the 505 has gotten so much juice. Remember that even when UH-1 and TH-67 were in service for primary training, old heads were clamoring for the TH-55.

Same partnership that successfully delivered MH-139 to AF...

Boeing and Leonardo Join Forces to Offer AW119T Helicopter to U.S. Army

Boeing and Leonardo will pursue together the U.S. Army's Flight School Next contractor-owned, contractor-operated (COCO) contract. Boeing and Leonardo

theaviationist.com

 

[ChuckMK23]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1977793776765882443

 

[Gatordev]

Gentex updating HGU-56/P

I'm not sure how LEP is an innovation. There's a reason why you don't leave it on the helmet all the time.

Otherwise it's interesting to see they've basically put all of the Ops Core family systems on the helmet.

 

[ChuckMK23]

Lots of work for retired mil pitch-men! (not inferring this isn't good honest work)

 

[hscs]

I'm not sure how LEP is an innovation. There's a reason why you don't leave it on the helmet all the time.

Otherwise it's interesting to see they've basically put all of the Ops Core family systems on the helmet.

And not sure I am a fan of the side lights. As the saying goes, “a working lip light is a dead lip light”.

 

[ChuckMK23]

And not sure I am a fan of the side lights. As the saying goes, “a working lip light is a dead lip light”.

The flex boom and liner/pads though look interesting - especially that nape adjustment!

 

[FlyNavy03]

I agree, the 505 is the solid choice for the army…far superior to the Robby.

Having been a Navy IP for over 10 years, and a 505 IP for Bell, I can say that I love the 505...for the mission it was designed for, which is letting retired hedge-fund managers fly back and forth to their ranches in comfort and safety. That being said, I question its effectiveness as a primary helo trainer. Not counting optional equipment, there are literally 6 switches and zero circuit breakers in the cockpit. It also has a binary throttle - fly or idle with nothing in between. The only EPs that you can simulate in the aircraft are hydraulic failure - which is such a non-issue that at Bell we would routinely do hover landings with boost off - and engine failure. It's an extremely automated aircraft. The start sequence requires two switches - battery and engine switch. You don't even need to worry about the throttle position (in most cases) since it doesn't care if the aircraft is in idle or fly during the start - the ECU will take care of you. In other words, all the things that make it a fantastic private-use aircraft also make it a less-than-ideal trainer.

The 407 would be an amazing trainer but at 5x the cost it's a tough sell. The Navy students are about to start training in the R66 with COPT-R so I'll be able to make a much better assessment of that bird in a few months.