The Challenge

Helping the diverse workforce in the U.S. Air Force access safe and properly-fitted gear. The equipment that many pilots wear in the U.S. Air Force was designed from data collected in the 1960s, when only men were allowed to be pilots. Sizes and modifications for gear are limited, leading to ill-fitting equipment for many women and people with varying body types. Gear that doesn't fit is not just a nuisance. For people in the military, ill-fitting vests and harnesses can lead to severe injury or even death. Protective equipment needs are complex, and the U.S. Air Force lacked sufficient data and existing systems to meet their diverse workforce demands.  

The Solution

The U.S. Air Force’s Human Systems Division prioritized fixing this serious problem. They sought guidance for a solution, and Randall Weidberg, helped lead the charge at Skylight as executive manager for the project in 2019. Championing human-centered design, digital transformation, DevSecOps and product management best practices, the team embarked on creating a digital platform called GearFit. 

The first step was to create an application to collect critical feedback from affected aircrew, including pilots in the Female Fitment program. This high-quality data on the existing gear assessed the specific limitations, failures, and successes. The team integrated with existing legacy systems to expand the scope of the data collected. And they used the data to present analysis and visualization to stakeholders. 

The Results

Within three months, the team delivered an alpha version of the application. They expect to launch a beta version in 2020. The application was recognized by General David Goldfein, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and demoed to the Air Force's Secretary, Barbara Barrett.

Areas of Expertise

• Product Management

• Service Design

• User Research

• User Experience Design

• Digital Transformation

• Human-Centered Design

• Agile Development

• DevSecOps

Press

AFLCMC division to launch new feedback App

New direction for female-specific flight equipment

New bill aims to get better-fitting equipment to women in the military

** Gray Co-Founder Randall Weidberg supported this project while serving as VP of Defense Services at Skylight Digital