Gentex and Teledyne Scientific and Imaging have each been awarded a $98.3 million contract for laser eye protection for pilots.

Blinding lasers have become a serious threat to pilots in recent years, with even low-power commercial versions capable of harming civilian airline pilots and risking accidents. The U.S. Air Force is now moving to protect its pilots' eyes.

The dual contracts, announced Friday by the Department of Defense, provide for the development, manufacture and delivery of different variants of laser eye protection to protect aircrews against blinding lasers.

There have been multiple incidents of commercial pilots being flashed by lasers, but the Pentagon started moving on improved eye protection for pilots after the Chinese military reportedly used lasers against pilots from a base in Djibouti, as well as in the South China Sea.

"This activity poses a true threat to our airmen," Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White told reporters in May. "It's a serious matter, so we're taking it very seriously."

While Teledyne has developed and provided visors to the U.S. military in the past, and was contracted in May for updated versions, Gentex also makes a similar product. The company's visors are primarily built to protect military helicopter pilots using an insert for standard flight helmets.

Several companies, including Gentex, have developed helmet visors that are capable of reducing the effects of blinding lasers. Gentex Dazzle Laser Defense Visors include civilian models that have also been designed for law enforcement and federal agencies.

Work by the two companies will be performed in Simpson, Pa., and Thousand Oaks, Calif., and is expected to be completed by September 2024. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $10,000 will be obligated on the first individual orders.

Related Links
Space Technology News - Applications and Research

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The Space Media Network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceMediaNetwork Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceMediaNetwork Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Chip-sized device could help manufacturers measure laser power in real time
Washington DC (SPX) Sep 27, 2018
Lasers play roles in many manufacturing processes, from welding car parts to crafting engine components with 3D printers.* To control these tasks, manufacturers must ensure that their lasers fire at the correct power. But to date, there has been no way to precisely measure laser power during the manufacturing process in real time, while lasers are cutting or melting objects, for example. Without this information, some manufacturers may have to spend more time and money assessing whether their part ... read more