Bose Corporation - Bose® Military Headsets: At Work around the World

In 1978 Dr. Amar Bose had an inspiration during a noisy international airline flight. At that time, to enhance passenger entertainment, electronic headphones were replacing older pneumatic tube phones. Unfortunately the fidelity improvements were masked by cabin noise–and the distortion caused by passengers increasing the volume to overcome the noise. Dr. Bose believed it was possible to achieve noise reduction in headphones by means of closed-loop feedback control.

He quickly initiated a research program to study the array of complex acoustic, electronic and mechanical challenges to developing practical active noise cancellation headsets. This research eventually led to the development of Bose® consumer headphones and military headsets. Today the Bose Aviation Headset X® is used on a variety of military aircraft and other weapon systems in the United States and throughout the world.

Noise reduction + clearer audio + comfortable fit = increased mission effectiveness

The US Department of Defense considers 85 dBA SPL the maximum safe level for continuous noise over an eight-hour period, assuming a 16-hour quiet recovery period. Removal of a headset for even 15 minutes in a 95 dBA SPL environment can cut the allowable exposure time in half. Even relatively brief noise exposure can induce short-term hearing loss, while long-duration operations can induce fatigue and permanent hearing loss.

To provide the appropriate noise reduction, conventional headsets rely on large, heavy earcups with tight clamping force. As a result, crew members may avoid wearing the headset or periodically remove it during a mission. Proprietary Bose technologies overcome this noise reduction vs. comfort compromise.

Bose Aviation Headset X offers active and passive technologies which together provide full-spectrum noise reduction―with a comfortable, lightweight design that can be worn continuously during long missions. Bose active noise reduction enables lighter headset design with lower clamping force than conventional headsets.

High noise levels in military aircraft and in other weapons systems also affect situational awareness. Misunderstood commands and repeated instructions can increase operational risk and reduce mission effectiveness. Bose proprietary Acoustic Noise Cancelling® headset technology effectively reduces the low-frequency noise prevalent in modern military aircraft, while faithfully reproducing intercom audio signals.

Aviation Headset X: advanced technology proven in action

Aviation Headset X is our second-generation Acoustic Noise Cancelling communications headset for military operations. It's designed to address the needs of aircrew members operating in the military aviation environment and is currently deployed in weapon systems such as AWACS, Joint STARS, C-130s, KC-135s, C-5s and UAV ground control stations.

Bose Acoustic Noise Cancelling headset circuitry in Aviation Headset X monitors sound at the ear, identifies unwanted noise and creates an out-of-phase signal to reduce it. The active equalization circuitry also helps deliver clean, full sound with improved intelligibility of radio and intercom audio. In fact, US Air Force tests with Bose Acoustic Noise Cancelling headsets achieved intelligibility scores of 95% at 115 db.

TriPort® acoustic headset structure – another exclusive Bose innovation – enables Aviation Headset X to offer significantly less clamping force than conventional passive headsets. The solid magnesium headband is extremely lightweight, yet durable. The sheepskin head cushion eliminates hot spots, and soft, padded ear cushions provide an effective seal – even over glasses. The result is superior noise reduction in a comfortable headset that weighs only 12 ounces.

In portable configurations, proprietary AdaptiSense® headset circuitry allows at least 40 hours of use from just two AA alkaline batteries. It supplies power as needed, detects when you’ve stopped using the headset and automatically shuts off the active electronics to preserve battery life. The ergonomic control module puts this technology and all other features, including dual thumbwheel volume controls, within easy reach.

Please contact Bose to discuss your application and to receive an evaluation headset for yourself and your unit.