New Technology Provides Advanced Level of Protection Against High-Intensity Visible Laser Sources
Carbondale, PA, November, 2017 Gentex Corporation, a global leader in personal protection and situational awareness solutions for defense forces, emergency responders, and industrial personnel announced today it has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Navy for design, development, test and evaluation, and production of Laser Eye Protection (LEP) Threat Spectacles (including the prescription Rx component) and protective carrying cases. The contract supports the Navy’s Laser Eye Protection Threat Spectacle Program, and also provides Gentex options for delivery of Low Rate Initial Production and Full Rate Production units.
The Gentex spectacle solution will provide the Navy with a mature, fully compliant design for day/night, multiple wavelength protection that will address the needs of its fixed and rotary wing aircrew that are exposed to laser threats, which have been on the rise.
“We’re proud to continue to support the military in combating laser threats encountered by aircrew with our latest laser eye protection technology,” said Robert McCay, vice president aircrew and aircraft maintainer systems, Gentex Corporation. “Based on decades of experience with military laser eye protection, Gentex was previously chosen to provide Laser Eye Protection Spectacles for the DoD’s F-35 Program, and Gentex EDU-7/P Laser Eye Protection Spectacles to the Navy.”
Proven to be scalable to visor applications, the laser protective filter in the Gentex spectacles utilize the latest, most advanced laser eye protection materials developed for and tested by both the NAVAIR and USAF/AFRL advanced technology development and demonstrator programs.
Gentex also offers Dazzle Laser Defense Eyewear designed for use by both civilian and military pilots for protection from civilian laser pointers. The laser glare-reduction lenses in the Dazzle Eyewear are available in day and night versions, and are designed to maintain see-through color perception while providing necessary protection from green and blue commercial lasers. Laser protection is achieved using special optical absorbing dye and lens coating technologies. Dazzle Eyewear is available as spectacles for use by civilian and military pilots and in visor formats for Gentex rotary wing helmets, and flight-helmet compatible spectacles that are compatible with additional headborne equipment, such as Helmet Mounted Displays and Night Vision Goggles.
Gentex Corporation is the leading supplier of high-performance flight equipment for aircraft maintainers and military, law enforcement, and rescue aircrew worldwide. The company’s comprehensive portfolio of Gentex, ALPHA, and Aegisound products include scalable helmet systems, and advanced hearing protection and communication solutions.
www.gentexcorp.com
