Advances in U.S. Air Force Safety Equipment

The title “Advances in U.S. Air Force (USAF) Safety Equipment” is a slight misnomer in that most safety equipment advances have been accomplished through contractual partnerships with industry. However, there has been one development targeted to military operations that is transferable to civil aviation.

This paper will show safety equipment priorities in the context of mishaps the USAF has experienced. It will then show current fleet status with respect to safety equipment installed and funded future upgrades. Lastly, the paper will discuss a system that will virtually eliminate Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT).