Lighter than its bulky predecessor, the Navy’s redesigned Aircrew Endurance (AE) Survival Vest recently attained initial operational capability (IOC), a key milestone in the development of the life-saving equipment, the service announced Dec. 18.
The upgraded AE survival vest provides improved ballistic-protection, superior load distribution and a new universal color for deployment in a wider variety of terrains, Navy officials said, adding that the improvements will decrease the physical burden on rotary-wing aircrew during extended missions.
IOC status, a pivotal gauge in the military procurement process, is achieved when a system or product can meet the operational capabilities for users before proceeding to full operational capability (FOC). With IOC reached Nov. 27, the AE vest is scheduled to achieve FOC during the first quarter of 2016.
“The Aircrew Systems Program Office [PMA-202] is focused on identifying solutions to improve performance and safety for the human element of the weapons system,” said Capt. Nora Burghardt, program manager for PMA-202, which is aligned under the Naval Air Systems Command based at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. “Under the Aircrew Endurance progr
