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High Altitude Pressure Suit |
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High Altitude Pressure Suit |
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The VKK-6M Flight Suit MiG-25 Pilot The Pilot is Wearing: The green communications helmet seen in the picture at right holds the microphone and headset connected to the aircraft radio. The white impact resistant helmet is worn over this. |
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More about the uniform... First introduced as a replacement for the older VKK-4 pressure suit in the 1970's, the VKK-6M pressure suit was, and still is, used for pilots of high performance jet aircraft. The name VKK stand for высотный компенсирующий костюм loosely translates as 'altitude compensation suit'. The VKK-6M pressure suit is very similar to its predecessor, but it incorporated a number of small changes that made it more effective and easier to wear. Chief among these was the placement of an air bladder across the pilot's abdomen instead of the rubber tubes that characterized the earlier suit. Modifications to the chest area made the suit much more comfortable and easier to get into and out of as well. It also only has one shoulder zipper rather than the two found on the earlier suit. The outside of the VKK-6M has numerous zippers and adjustable laces to ensure a proper fit. They can be found along the legs and the torso. These are very difficult for the wearer to adjust himself, so it is usually done with the help of a friend well before the suit is worn for duty. Inside the suit are three air bladders that cover
the abdomen and thighs. These are connected by numerous tubes to insure
equal inflation. It also has two rubber tubes running along the outside of
the suit. They are filled with air whenever the cockpit loses
pressure. Two other hoses on the left side of the suit are used to lock
into connections in the cockpit. The suit has no integral pressure
controls everything is controlled from the cockpit of the aircraft. |
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The flight suit comes in sizes ranging from 3 to 12, with 9 being the most common. All suits have their own serial number and come in a simple bag with snap closures. There are also special socks for the pilot to wear. They were originally developed for the VKK-4, but were carried over when it was replaced by the VKK-6 suit. The suit is used in conjunction with the GSh-6 (Germoshelm-6) helmet. This helmet comes with a locking ring that is worn around the pilot's neck. The ring is equipped with a rubber gasket that the pilot squeezes his head through to form a tight, but comfortable seal. The gasket comes in two variations; the light color seen above is the normal one, but a rigid dark gray is used for higher altitude flights. The helmet can then snaps down tightly onto the metal ring to make an airtight seal. It comes in several sizes: 1, 2m, 2, 2b, 3m, 3, 3b. The letter 'm' stands for small while the letter 'b' stands for bolshoi or large. |
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The helmet has an electrically heated visor to prevent fogging, but has not integral communications system. This is provided by a small padded green cloth helmet that fits into a groove inside the GSh-6. It has two earphones padded with lambskin and a small boom microphone on the right side. It comes in sizes ranging from 53 to 62. |
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Together, this uniform was part of the KKO-5 (Komplekt Kislorodnovo Oborudovaniya) assembly which made it possible for the pilot to survive at the extreme altitudes at which he worked.
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Service Chronology Since its introduction in 1961 as part of the KKO-5 flight complex, the VKK-6M suit has has had a long service life and can still be found in service with some of the former Soviet republics to this day. In this section you will be able to learn what suit the VKK-6M replaced and what flight suit replaced it. You will also be able to read more about these flight suits when they are obtained and added to the website.
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| This Uniform Replaced... | VKK-6M Flight Suit | This Uniform was Replaced by... |
| VKK-4 Flight Suit | Still in Service, but being replaced by VKK-15 |
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