A `cut` too far for the USAF?
Thread Starter
A `cut` too far for the USAF?
Thread Starter
LM - Indeed. Perhaps all we can hope for is the belief that what the US does - we tend to do do a few years later
During GIANT VOICE 1979, we had a presentation from a US flight surgeon about some fantastic new high altitude flying clothing he'd recently come across. It was practical and relatively comfortable, certainly more so than the pressure suits the USAF was then using.
It was the Mk21 regulator, P/Q mask and pressure jerkin AEA the RAF had been using for years........
He admitted then, that RAF research and development in the field of flying clothing was well ahead of the USAF's.
It was the Mk21 regulator, P/Q mask and pressure jerkin AEA the RAF had been using for years........
He admitted then, that RAF research and development in the field of flying clothing was well ahead of the USAF's.
Quite true Beags- Indeed the RAF IAM ( as was) designed Air Ventilated Suit was adopted by NASA in the early years of their Space programme.
I do recall quite a few expressions of bemusement by our aviation doctors regarding some of the American solutions to Aviation Medicine problems.
I do recall quite a few expressions of bemusement by our aviation doctors regarding some of the American solutions to Aviation Medicine problems.
Of course they do, look at the extent of the material they have to work with!
The RAF pilot (Flt Cdr) on CAM is not a Doctor - so therefore having a fully qualified USAF Doctor who is also an experienced military pilot is very useful and both 'sides' have gained from this arrangement !!
The capability RAFCAM could provide has been slowly whittled away over the past 10 yrs+. For example, the move out of Farnbrough and the sale of QQ saw the loss of CHS. this was a world renowned R&D capability that lead the way in many areas of AvMed tech. QQ then off loaded due to it not making sufficient profit.......somewhere in that debacle is a monumental cockup, and as with any capabilities, now lost forever!
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The monumental cock-up occurred in the early 1990s, disbandment of the RAF IAM and the RAE, both irreplaceable organisations. Again, stupidity of the highest order exercised by politicians and senior military officers listening to siren voices assuring that it could all be done much cheaper by other means. Well is has not been cheaper, strategic capabilities have been thrown away and that Great White Elephant QinetiQ is falling apart.
lm
lm
