Beaufort has equipped its 100th F-35 pilot in Japan with a fully tailored Aircrew Flight Equipment (AFE) ensemble, marking a milestone in its ongoing support of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) and the global F-35 Lightning II programme.
“Reaching this 100-pilot milestone in Japan is a proud moment and an affirmation of our commitment to protecting lives and enabling mission success in high-threat, high-performance environments,” Chief Commercial Officer at Beaufort, Nick Mulhall, said.
According to Beaufort, the company is the sole source provider of below-the-neck AFE for all variants of F-35. Japan, a key operator of F-35 with up to 147 A and B variant aircraft already operational or on order, has advanced its self-defence capabilities amid growing regional security challenges. As a result, Japan has involved itself in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a trilateral partnership with the UK and Italy to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet.
“Our unique Perfect Fit process ensures every pilot receives an individually tailored ensemble that integrates seamlessly with the cockpit with aircraft life support systems meeting the demands of modern multi-domain operations," Mulhall stated.
In step with GCAP and the evolution of sixth-generation air power, Beaufort has made steps to develop its AFE to be in line with the sixth-generation fighters. The company has wishes to meet the demands of future air combat platforms.
The AFE ensemble includes a flight jacket, coverall, anti-g trousers, and immersion protection garments, each custom-fitted through a 10-day, two-stage process within a dedicated F-35 Pilot Fit Facility (PFF). A precision fit is important to ensure the equipment performs reliably in extreme conditions, including sustained high-G manoeuvres where Anti-G Straining Manoeuvres (AGSM) a source of significant pilot fatigue, are allegedly eliminated or substantially reduced.
While JASDF pilots have to currently travel to the US for their fittings, Beaufort is exploring opportunities to establish a local pilot fitting and support capability in Japan.