Forum: General F-16 forum

IDCrewDawg wrote:

F-16VIPER wrote:

The pilot seating in the ACES II seems to be a little bit bored. Just fell sleep.

I just found some images related to the Salitre 2004 exercise in Chile, and saw that the pilots are wearing a new type of Life Preserver. This is the same as the one now worn by F/A-22 Raptor pilots, and is flatter and wider than the LPU-9 carried previously and shown in the third photo. Can anybody provide info such as designation, manufacturer or technical characteristics.

The jet in the back of this photo was mine for a time. I love seeing things like this, brings back memories quite often!

Hi Group,

My guess would be the newly approved LPU-38/P (since end of 2003).

And what concerns the ACES II, on the other side of the seat is the intertia reel locking lever. The small cable that goes now behind it, has to go on the outside (noticed that on another pic from Chris).

Bye Ron

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Ron:
Youy are probably right because this is what I found after you gave the designation.

4220 Life Preserver, Yoke LPU-38/P
Document Type: PRESOL
Posted Date: Jan 30, 2004
Category: Firefighting, Rescue and Safety Equipment
Set Aside: N/A

Contracting Office Address
Defense Logistics Agency, Logistics Operations, Defense Supply Center Philadelphia - General & Industrial, 700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19111-5096
Description
The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia is seeking proposals from business entities interested in participating in an acquisition plan for a Life Preserver, Yoke (Component Set LPU-38/P). The Approved Source is Simula Aerospace & Defense Group, Phoenix, AZ P/N 200316413-30, NSN: 4220-01-510-8555. The resultant contract will be an Indefinite Quantity Contract for one (1) base year and four (4) one year options. The total estimated yearly quantity is 4000 each. The total estimated 5 year dollar value is $10 Million. The estimated solicitation issue date is 2/23/2004

I'm interested in the flight gear configuration F-16s pilots currently use in Iraq.

The only pictures I've seen of pilots in tan gear are of them in flight, taken from tankers, so I can only confirm that the flightsuit and survival vest are tan. What about the gloves, anti-g suit, and boots?

In none of the pictures I've seen does it appear that the Combat Edge vest is worn. Is this the norm? Also, I've seen some pilots with life preservers and some without.

Something I don't think has been brought up yet, knee maps. How is it held in place? (pictures would be good) Is it always used, and if you have something on each leg, what is the other one?

Great thread, BTW...

The chance of High G dogfighting over Irak is zero, so why would they want to wear the combat edge vest?

I have seen photos of F-16 pilots flying operations in Afghanistan and they wear CE. Zero chances of high-g A2A combat over there. I imagine it may have to do with evading SAMS more than anything else.

As far as the current vests worn by pilots, the dark beige survival vest currently worn is an AirAce ACC vest. The flight suit should be the current model in beige. I do not know if they wear different boots. gloves should be the current model. LPU-9 life preserver is being replaced with LPU-38/P

The g suits have elastic straps sewn on, and those hold the lineup cards/maps. Some guys carry knee boards that strap around the leg and have another strap for the flight stuff.

As for the LPUs, those guys flew over water for a stretch, while the others didn't...'nuff said on that!

These days we are all color coordinated..tan everything, except there isn't a tan flight jacket that I've seen. I don't kow of anyone that has worn CE..at least in my squadron (and a couple of others that were with us) that have worn CE while flying over I RACK.

Gus

A few days ago someone was selling this kneeboard on ebay.
Is it like the one you guys would carry.

F-16VIPER wrote:

I do not know if they wear different boots.

Looking through my pictures I found one of an F-117 pilot in the US with tan boots, tan survival vest, and everything else green. He was at Langley, making a pit stop before ferrying over to the Middle East.

Yes sure.

What I do not know is if the boots are the same model type as before but in tan colour, as opposed to a different type and model in tan colour.

We were issued those kneeboards in UPT. They then told us to stop flying with them or they might cut our head off during ejection. I've been flying with this board (with a few personal, mission essential modefications) for the last few years:

http://www.aerobaticproshop.com/9-g-plus-kneeboard.htm

Don't remember paying that much for it though.

Cylon

Here's why I was asking about this stuff earlier:

http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/14867241/

Not 100% accurate, but as good as I could get within a certain amount of time (didn't wanna spend too long on this project). Click the magnifying glass icon below the image for the full-res view. Also, read the comment before correcting me on the mask. Wink

Phthalo Type,

Way better drawing than I could ever hope to do.

A lot of guys that went to Korea had kneeboards made at Royal Bag in Songtang City just outside of Osan. They closely resemble what you've drawn.

Gus

I would like to answer a question from a forum member about the introduction of the LPU-38:
(Please bear in mind I am not an expert in the subject and part of this answer is based on information provided by Simula)

The LPU-38/P was designed to be a plug n play to the LPU-9/P with red knob handles, PCU-15&16 attachment method, and accommodate the same FLU-9 inflator. The LPU-36/P flown by the Navy integrates with either their PCU-56 or AIRSAVE. The Navy uses FLU-8B/P inflators.

- Why is the LPU-9/P being replaced by the LPU-38/P in USAF service.
Simula: I understand that there were safety issues with LPU-9/P, where it blew apart at the higher wind blast speeds. It was also getting costly to maintain.

- What are the advantages of the -38/P compared to the -9/P.
Simula: Most importantly, it performs very well at high speed wind blast (600 KEAS+) and it's sister collar has a great service record with the Navy.

- What are the differences between both life preservers.
Simula: More compact, independent bladders versus a single bladder dual/dual cell, cost to maintain is less since more parts are provisioned versus the LPU-9, which has two main spares (bladder and cover).

- What is the approximate cost of one complete unit including inflator.
Simula: Difficult question since it's very dependent on quantities but the LPU-38 is around 700 USD with out the inflators. I believe FLU-9s run around 800 USD in quantities and 2 each are required per assemble, so the total bill is around 2,300 USD.

- What does it mean that the unit is to be used only by pilots flying aircraft equipped with an ejection seat.
Simula: There are two basic types of collars used by military aircrew, manual and automatic. The automatic simply means that it contains a water sensing inflator that fires when dipped in water. Ejection seat aircrew experience a violent departure from the aircraft on a bad day and it's likely that they could be injured or unconscious, so the automatic feature prevents inadvertent drowning. For helicopter aircrew, the emergency egress scenario is much different. When a helicopter ditches, it immediately rolls upside down, since the center of gravity is high on the airframe. The aircrew are restrained in the cockpit upside down and sinking like a rock. An automatic inflation of a collar would greatly inhibit an emergency egress, thus they only use manual versions.

- Was the unit designed by Simula or is it a USAF design manufactured by Simula.
Simula: Yes. The LPUs-33, 34, 36, 37, & 38/Ps are all part of a Simula family of patented products called the Low Profile Flotation Collar (LPFC). Simula is the designer and OEM.

- When did deliveries start and when will they be completed.
Simula: If you are referring to the LPU-38/P, we made our first deliveries to the Air National Guard in 2003. We should get our first large order to supply the active Air Force soon that will ultimately replace all the LPU-9/Ps.

- What is the total number of units to be produced and over what period.
Simula: I'm not exactly sure but I believe the total active USAF for ejection seat aircrew will be somewhere around 10,000 units.

If someone one else has additional information about the introduction of the LPU-38 I really would like to hear from you.

Hello group:
Need help from a pilot or an ALSS:

I would like to now what brand, model and colour of flashlight and survival tool (leatherman?) a pilot carries in the survival vest and or aces II survival pack. I would like to buy one for my kit. Can anybody provide photos of those items please.

Also, how many rounds of ammunition are normally carried in the SRu-21 survival vest.

Hope someone can help.

regards.

Sorry to drag up an old topic, but had a few pictures of the 2005/06 gear i'm wearing.

HGU-55 & MBU-20 HA/LP (Brand New)
*MMM Oregon Aero Soft Earseals & Zeta Liner! COMFY!*

Visors for both mask types: Dark "Neutral"/Gradient/High Contrast/Clear
(ALL Brand New)

I'm getting a "Chrome" Thunderbirds style Visor made with the bungee's to fit the HGU-55 so if any of you "Drivers" out there are interested let me know. Its the same regular dark "Neutral" visor you fly wih everyday, its no different to look through on your end and its very chrome on the outside! It just got passed at Wright Patt & the Viper East & West are onboard as is the F-15 East & West & The Thunderbirds! You CAN wear it for everyday use, the Boss & Wing King have to sign you off to fly with it which is basically a "Technicality" as their is now a Life Support Directive for it!!

I'll take some pictures at Shaw next month & post em so you can see "Hack" & "Buzzard" (the 2006/7 pilot) wearing the said visor!

Here's a better view of both my masks. (Brand New)
MBU-20/P HA/LP

MBU-12/P

CRU-60/P Regulator

CSU-13B/P Anti-G Garment (Brand New)

PCU-15/P Harness (Brand New)

I've got an integrated Survival Vest/Life Preserver, that the USAF is trying to get its paws on sometime in 2007 (he he). It's got a better cell system than the LPU-38 & its much better than the current survival vest, because... Its ergonomically designed by pilots!

Here's a picture of it. I had to tell them to take off the rear two pockets, (Red X's) because they got in the way of the harness & we got rid of some of the inside pockets too! Its light, cool & comfortable. Laughing

I'll try & get a picture of all the new innovations in my survival vest, but to most guys on here that are AD or Guard there' going to be some familiar stuff with the exception of the PLB, FLARE & SMOKE (Pyro), ASEK, AN/PRC Radio & First Aid! The new flare is the McMurdo Pains Wessex MK4 which is smaller & lighter & works just the same.
(I'm not in the miitary I dont have a survival kit, minus water, gum & candy. I don't need a gun, bullets, or face paint. Though i'd like to get one of those pink/orange panel markers!)

No Joy on Combat Edge Gear!
I HATE IT!.. I tried it at Tyndall and wanted to cut the vest off! It was HOT & I was still in ALSE!

Hope they help!

Forum: General F-16 forum

Gear worn by Viper drivers