US Air Force Awards $83.4M Contract for New Fixed Wing Helmet Designed to Cut Aircrew Neck Strain

The US Air Force awarded LIFT Airborne Technologies an $83.4 million ceiling contract on October 30, 2026, for further development, qualification, production and fielding of its Next Generation Fixed Wing Helmet. The indefinite-delivery agreement runs through October 2036, with approximately $4.1 million in research and development funding obligated initially for work in Carson City, Nevada. LIFT's AV 2.2 design uses a carbon-fibre shell, improved fit and an integrated night-vision mount to address neck loads associated with modern aircrew equipment. F-15E crews are the planned first recipients, while qualification work remains and helmet quantities have not been announced.