ALPHA 221 helmets in RDAF service

Message 151, 14 December 2003
During my recent visit to some of our ALSE shops I saw a couple of different types of NVG attachment on Alpha 200 series helmets. The reason why the RDAF are looking into this is that we need them for the observers in our present S-61 Sea King SAR helicopters and for both pilots and aircrew in our future EH.101 SAR and transport helicopters.
One type of NVG mounting under consideration is the standard Alpha type mounting with a aluminium bracket mounted directly on the helmet shell. The problem with this solution is that no inner visor can be fitted as it would conflict with the bracket. Due to the high birdstrike risk in Danish airspace the RDAF has a strict two-visor policy.
An alternative is to mount the NVG bracket on a rigid fibre visor housing. A slightly heavier solution, it allows keeping both visors.
Cheers, Bluelight

Alphanvg01.jpg (109141 bytes)Alphanvg02.jpg (117918 bytes)
Standard NVG mounting. © Bluelight

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NVG mounting on rigid fibre housing. © Bluelight
 

Message 2376, May 20, 2001
Hi Hud, In 1999 the Royal Danish Air Force introduced an Alpha 200 series helmet designated Alpha 221 for S-61 and Lynx helicopter crews and for the T-17 supporter elementary trainer. Our Air Materiel Command are currently making a market survey to determine what the successor to HGU-55/P would be but no decisions have been made so far to my knowledge.
Cheers, Bluelight

Message 2373, May 20, 2001
Hi All, After looking through the Helmet Systems website (Alpha helmets) it became clear that the Czech Airforce gets the Alpha series 200 and 700 for its Air Force. The 200 for its Mi-24 gunships and the 700 for its fighters. I still prefer a Czech MiG or Sukhoi aircraft with a pilot wearing an old ZSh type helmet........
Also the Danish were supposed to have bought the Alpha helmets. Any info Bluelight?
Bye HUD