A Simple Software Upgrade Might Have Saved This F-18 Pilot’s Life – Guy D. McCardle
The Tragic Loss of Lt. Richard Bullock
On June 3, 2022, Lt. Richard “Max” Bullock, a 29-year-old U.S. Navy pilot, embarked on a routine training mission in his F/A-18E Super Hornet from Naval Air Station Lemoore. The mission, conducted near California’s Death Valley National Park, involved air-to-ground strafing and slow-speed maneuvers. Tragically, during the exercise, Bullock experienced gravity-induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC), leading to a fatal crash near Trona at 2:07 p.m. local time. An internal investigation revealed that Bullock’s ejection seat was properly installed, but he did not attempt to eject, likely due to incapacitation.
Lt. Bullock, of Butte Montana, had a distinguished career in Naval Aviation. He received his Wings of Gold and designation as a Naval Aviator in August of 2019. In April of 2021, he joined VFA-113 “Stingers,” where he accumulated over 600 flight hours in various aircraft. This included the completion of over 125 carrier arrested landings. During his time in the Navy, he earned his Strike Fighter Weapons and Tactics Level II Combat Wingman Qualification.
Auto-GCAS: A Lifesaving Technology
This incident has raised critical questions about the absence of the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto-GCAS) in the Navy’s Super Hornet fleet—a system that could have potentially saved Bullock’s life. Auto-GCAS is designed to take temporary control of an aircraft when a pilot is incapacitated or distracted, preventing ground collisions. The system has been credited with saving lives in the Air Force, where it has been implemented in F-16s and F-35s.
The Air Force’s adoption of Auto-GCAS has demonstrated its effectiveness. Since its introduction, the system has been credited with preventing multiple accidents by automatically correcting the aircraft’s trajectory when a collision with the ground is imminent. This technology is particularly crucial during high-G maneuvers, where pilots are at increased risk of G-LOC.
Despite the proven benefits of Auto-GCAS, the Navy has not integrated this system into its Super Hornet fleet. The reasons for this omission remain unclear, as the Navy has declined to provide specific explanations. This decision has come under scrutiny, especially in light of incidents like Bullock’s, where the system could have intervened to prevent a fatal outcome.
Bridging the Technological Gap
The absence of Auto-GCAS in the Navy’s Super Hornets highlights a broader issue of technological disparities between military branches. While the Air Force has prioritized the integration of advanced safety systems, the Navy’s lag in adopting similar technologies raises concerns about pilot safety and operational readiness.
Implementing Auto-GCAS in the Navy’s Super Hornet fleet would require software upgrades and pilot training to ensure proper utilization of the system. The cost and logistical challenges associated with such an upgrade are factors that the Navy must consider. However, the potential to save lives and prevent accidents presents a compelling case for prioritizing this integration.
The Tragic Loss of Lt. Richard Bullock
On June 3, 2022, Lt. Richard “Max” Bullock, a 29-year-old U.S. Navy pilot, embarked on a routine training mission in his F/A-18E Super Hornet from Naval Air Station Lemoore. The mission, conducted near California’s Death Valley National Park, involved air-to-ground strafing and slow-speed maneuvers. Tragically, during the exercise, Bullock experienced gravity-induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC), leading to a fatal crash near Trona at 2:07 p.m. local time. An internal investigation revealed that Bullock’s ejection seat was properly installed, but he did not attempt to eject, likely due to incapacitation.
Lt. Bullock, of Butte Montana, had a distinguished career in Naval Aviation. He received his Wings of Gold and designation as a Naval Aviator in August of 2019. In April of 2021, he joined VFA-113 “Stingers,” where he accumulated over 600 flight hours in various aircraft. This included the completion of over 125 carrier arrested landings. During his time in the Navy, he earned his Strike Fighter Weapons and Tactics Level II Combat Wingman Qualification.
Auto-GCAS: A Lifesaving Technology
This incident has raised critical questions about the absence of the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto-GCAS) in the Navy’s Super Hornet fleet—a system that could have potentially saved Bullock’s life. Auto-GCAS is designed to take temporary control of an aircraft when a pilot is incapacitated or distracted, preventing ground collisions. The system has been credited with saving lives in the Air Force, where it has been implemented in F-16s and F-35s.
The Air Force’s adoption of Auto-GCAS has demonstrated its effectiveness. Since its introduction, the system has been credited with preventing multiple accidents by automatically correcting the aircraft’s trajectory when a collision with the ground is imminent. This technology is particularly crucial during high-G maneuvers, where pilots are at increased risk of G-LOC.
Despite the proven benefits of Auto-GCAS, the Navy has not integrated this system into its Super Hornet fleet. The reasons for this omission remain unclear, as the Navy has declined to provide specific explanations. This decision has come under scrutiny, especially in light of incidents like Bullock’s, where the system could have intervened to prevent a fatal outcome.
Bridging the Technological Gap
The absence of Auto-GCAS in the Navy’s Super Hornets highlights a broader issue of technological disparities between military branches. While the Air Force has prioritized the integration of advanced safety systems, the Navy’s lag in adopting similar technologies raises concerns about pilot safety and operational readiness.
Implementing Auto-GCAS in the Navy’s Super Hornet fleet would require software upgrades and pilot training to ensure proper utilization of the system. The cost and logistical challenges associated with such an upgrade are factors that the Navy must consider. However, the potential to save lives and prevent accidents presents a compelling case for prioritizing this integration.
The tragic loss of Lt. Richard Bullock serves as a poignant reminder of the risks inherent in military aviation and the critical importance of leveraging available technologies to mitigate these dangers. The Navy’s decision to forgo the implementation of Auto-GCAS in its Super Hornet fleet warrants a reevaluation, with the safety of its pilots as the paramount concern.
In the end, the integration of Auto-GCAS into the Navy’s Super Hornet fleet would represent a vital step toward enhancing pilot safety and preventing future tragedies. The system’s proven effectiveness in the Air Force underscores its potential benefits. Addressing the current technological gap is essential to honor the memory of pilots like Lt. Richard Bullock and to safeguard the lives of those who continue to serve.
