GUENEAU ZEUS C
During the mid-1980s, the Swiss AF was looking for an aircraft suitable to replace the Mirage III. Among those evaluated the Northrop F-20, Mirage 2000, F-16 and the F/A-18, the evaluation winner.
Due to the ever-improving performance and air combat tactics, pilots were increasingly exposed to high acceleration. As a result, according to the Dübendorf FAI (Fliegerärtzliches Institut - Aero Medical Institute), spinal disorders were increasing observed with the weight of the pilot's helmet/mask system playing an important role.
The FAI consequently proposed to the AF to evaluate/ purchase new lightweight helmet and mask systems, with the lowest possible weight, optimal centre of gravity and good wearing comfort.
The evaluation started in 1988; the ZEUS C competitors the Swiss built “TITLIS” TFC and the Gentex H/ATS.
For more details about the evaluation, see HERE
The helmet's low weight, stability, comfort, visibility, and mobility in the cockpit were positively rated, nevertheless some problems were detected:
• The distance between helmet crown - ear cups to be too small, so the ears not completely enclosed - reduced noise attenuation;
• Helmet “sitting high” on the back of the head;
• The distance between pilot's face and the inner visor being too small, preventing wearing glasses.
The evaluation had no winner; none of the systems tested fully met the requirements.
Below a scan of the cover of the September 1989 issue of “Aero Revue" magazine. It features Pilatus chief test pilot Hans Galli, wearing a combo ZEUS/MP90 on board a Pilatus PC-9.
