Life Support Systems
This program develops aircrew flight equipment and other combat support equipment required for safe effective mission execution. Air Force acquisition teams lead the upgrade and fielding of new equipment and systems by assessing deficiencies in existing equipment, identifying and assessing existing products or developing new technology, and conducting required Safe-to-Fly tests, certifications, and studies. Program efforts include, but are not limited to, the following projects: directed energy protective equipment; flight helmets and visors; oxygen breathing systems for aircrew; radios and locator beacons; support equipment; nuclear flash blindness protection; night vision devices; noise reduction devices; all types of flight suits and ensembles to protect aircrew against environmental threats; flame resistant, retardant and blast/ballistic protective gear; aircraft seating; impact protection equipment; flotation devices; parachutes; ejection systems; post-ejection survival systems; physiological monitoring devices and other aircrew, life support, and ground crew systems required by the warfighter. This program element included all necessary expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605833F, and 0605898F. In direct support of Secretary of War direction to increase readiness across the DoW, efforts within this program element will be prioritized based on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), USAF Force Design, Agile Combat Employment (ACE), and the Defense Planning Guide (DPG). These efforts will support work and collaboration efforts across the Combat Readiness Directorate in PE's 780651F, 71212F, 72833F, 64706F, 65827F, 22834F, 52834F, 28031F, 41135F and 27521F to increase readiness across the Air Force Enterprise This program is in Budget Activity 5, System Development and Demonstration (SDD) because it has passed Milestone B approval and is conducting engineering and manufacturing development tasks aimed at meeting validated requirements prior to full rate production.
FY2027 planned work Continuing development/test efforts on aircrew laser eye protection - technical insertion (ALEP-TI), next generation fixed wing helmet, next generation nuclear flash blindness technology, improvement of parachute/floatation devices and survival system.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Decrease due to Nuclear flash Blindness Program moving toward production in FY27.
FY2026 plans — current year Continue to perform STF testing and certification of COTS products. Address SIB recommendations. Continue the development/test efforts of aircrew laser eye protection - technical insertion (ALEP-TI), next generation fixed wing helmet, next generation nuclear flash blindness technology, and improvement of parachute/flotation devices.
FY2027 planned work Continuing work on the F-15 Integration Contract and Award F-16 Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) Contract.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Ramp up of F-16 EMD efforts and F-15 integration activities in FY27
FY2026 plans — current year Conclude F-15 seat development and testing and initiate the F-15 Integration phase.