Aviation News – The US Navy has awarded Gentex Corporation a $22.6 million contract to supply more than 5,000 next-generation fixed-wing helmet systems, aiming to modernize aircrew protection and improve performance across the fleet.
The firm-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract covers helmets and spares to equip all Navy fixed-wing aircraft, replacing the long-serving HGU-55/P and HGU-68P models that have been standard for decades. The Next-Generation Fixed Wing Helmet (NGFWH) program forms part of the Navy’s broader effort to update life-support gear and better integrate emerging digital cockpit technologies while reducing strain on pilots during extended missions.
Built around a lighter carbon-fiber shell, the NGFWH cuts head-borne weight and improves balance by optimizing the helmet’s center of gravity. The design helps reduce neck and back fatigue during high-G and long-duration flights, while a secure internal liner keeps night vision devices and flight displays stable. The modular architecture allows the Navy to bolt in new sensors, communications tools and displays without replacing the entire helmet, speeding upgrades and lowering long-term costs.