EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE.

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFMCNS) -- Popular Science magazine recognized an Air Force standard Pilot School-tested prototype anti-G suit as single in kind of the "Top 100" technology disclosures of 2000. The magazine picked the gear, called Libelle, as "Best of What's New" In the aviation and space category for its annual special issue.

The proof pilot students and instructors determined in what way it handled high-G stress. Unlike now passing anti-G suits that use pressurized air, Libelle uses liquid to save fighter pilots as they make rapid bends and changes in flight paths, which Increases gravity forces forward the body.

When this happens, a 160-pound pilot, in just a not many seconds, can feel up to nine times his or her material part weight, or 1,440 pounds. Consequently just lifting a hand unexpectedly becomes a struggle. Increased gravity forces also cause children to rush from the brain toward the feet which, if not obstructed can result in impaired vision and equable blackout. This is called gravity-induced los of consciousness.

passing from hand to hand pneumatic anti-G suits and a straining maneuver assist airmen in eliminating these predicaments. the couple however, have drawbacks. Pneumatic gear requires crewmen to be joined to mechanical regulating systems that deliver wrap closelyed air via hoses.

The anti-G straining maneuver, a forced-breathing technique, calls for aircrew members to literally flex each muscle in their bodies, take a of great depth breath and then do a brief air exchange of exhaling and inhaling. This can be distracting, especially for a pilot focusing forward a battle.

However, Libelle does away with undivided problem and significantly reduces another.

The self-sustained Libelle, which uses les than a quart of liquid and direct the eyes like a space-age wetsuit, does not ne regulating mechanisms or on-board bind tightlyed air.

And as for the straining maneuver, Lt Col Michael Sizoo, director of plans and programs at the exercise said while it still must be used occasionally with Libelle, it isn't nearly as strenuous or distracting as it is with the now passing anti-G suit used by the Air Force.

"Libelle allows you to focus more and can bring into the fatigue factor dramatically," said Sizoo, who flew Libelle trial sorties in the F-16 Fighting Falcon and T-38 Talon and serv as the program manager during evaluation of the prototype.

"Overall, there are more [i]or[/i] less issues that must be worked out" Sizoo said, "but if I were to advance up in air combat -- where you might have to hap and sustain 9 G's extensively -- I would want the suit," he said.

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