BROOKS AFB ACCELERATION TRAINING

HUMAN CENTERFUGE TRAINING

Human centrifuges are exceptionally large centrifuges that test the reactions and tolerance of pilots and astronauts to acceleration above those experienced in the Earth’s gravity.

The USAF at Brooks City-Base in San Antonio, TX, operates a human centrifuge. The centrifuge at Brooks is operated by the aerospace physiology department for the purpose of training and evaluating fighter pilots and Weapon Systems Officers for high-g flight in Air Force fighter aircraft.

The use of large centrifuges to simulate a feeling of gravity has been proposed for future long-duration space missions. Exposure to this simulated gravity would prevent or reduce the bone decalcification and muscle atrophy that affect individuals exposed to long periods of freefall.

HIGH G TRAINING

High-G training is done by aviators and astronauts who are subject to high levels of acceleration (‘G’). It is designed to prevent a g-induced Loss Of Consciousness (abbreviated G-LOC), a situation when g-forces move the blood away from the brain to the extent that consciousness is lost. Incidents of acceleration-induced loss of consciousness have caused fatal accidents in aircraft capable of sustaining high-g for considerable periods.

The value of training has been well established during the decades since the 1970s and has been the subject of much research and literature, and training has contributed to extending pilots’ G tolerance in both magnitude and duration.[1] This training has allowed pilots and crews to more safely exploit the capabilities of high performance aircraft. This training will become more important as new weapons systems are fielded with even higher performance capabilities.

Training includes centrifuge, Anti-G Straining Maneuvers (AGSM), and acceleration physiology.