F22 pushing limits of human endurance (hard scifi enthusiasts take note)

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http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2013/02/stealth-pilots-coughing/

 

This article describes the human toll of flying a high performance craft. The mixture of the forces endured while breathing oxygen rich gasses and wearing a G suit are causing breathing issues with Raptor pilots. It would seem that without medical advancements or engineering improvements to the suits pilots wear to resist g forces, we are nearing the limits of human endurance for piloted aircraft.

 

This is one huge advantage that inertial dampening provides over those who don't have it.

It's worth noting that Earth Alliance starship crews don't wear g suits in combat which implies they don't normally experience high enough g forces to black out in battle. A more physically robust species or a race like the Minbari who has inertial dampening doesn't need much of an acceleration advantage to be dangerous. Being able to out turn a less capable ship to mask a damaged section or present fresh guns can be decisive.