There are lots of reasons to love Vuzix. Aside from building some amazing displays they are sponsoring an iPad 2 giveaway. In order to enter go to www.vuzix.com/sofic. Additionally, they are offering free t-shirts to this week’s SOFIC attendees. Stop by Booth #1345 to get a free t-shirt and check out their latest technologies like the holographic glasses we recently wrote about.
Also, don’t forget to Like them on Facebook.
Under various programs Vuzix has long been working on the next generation of holographic goggles and glasses. Based on their patented Blade Optical system, the Vuzix Tactical Display Group will develop “Next Generation Display Technology” for the Joint Terminal Attack Contoller’s Battlefield Air Operations Kit under DARPA’s Persistent Close Air Support (PCAS) program. The holographic displays will join other enabling technologies; manned/unmanned airborne platforms, next generation graphical user interfaces, data links, digital guidance and control, and advanced targeting and visualization tools working together as a “system of systems” to digitally task a CAS platform from the ground as well as reduce collateral damage and potential fratricide to friendly forces.
Development of these devices is essential for the next leap of Soldier digitization to take place. Currently, Soldiers rely on a monocle view screen that, due to its close proximity to the eye looks larger than its true size. However, even the smallest screen blocks a portion of the Soldier’s vision and while he is looking at the screen it may mask a threat from his line of sight. This is what makes holographic eyewear so desirable. The Soldier continues to have an unobstructed, full field of view of the battle space but can augment his vision and reality perception by overlaying various types of data onto the scene. For example, an icon could float over the objective and point out enemy emplacements based on a feed from a drone overhead.
Vuzix already has a great deal of experience in Augmented Reality. We look forward to seeing additional functionality built in to similar systems.
To learn more visit www.vuzix.com.
Rudy Project has updated their website to place all of their Tactical / Ballistic eyewear on one page. Rudy project is very well known in the cycling world for their optically perfect lenses and has been producing tactical models for the Italian military for several years. They are now available here in the US and have become very popular in shooting sports.
Built the same exacting standards of their duty protective eyewear, the Vipertail introduces some civilian styling to the Revision line. We got to check them out last week at the NAVEXFOR. They are really cool and unlike anything else currently offered by Revision. If you like Revision and want to wear them during your free time, then these are a good option. Rumor has it they will be joined by a couple of other styles later this year.
The Vipertail is available exclusively from www.revisioneyewear.com/vipertail.html.
Named Fast-Tint Protective Eyewear (FTPE), this new LCD-based technology introduced by the office of Naval Research for the Naval Special Warfare community is designed to dynamically change from dark to clear in half a second according to Stephanie Everett, ONR’s TechSolutions program manager. The technology is based on work designing laser eyeshields for aircrewmen who risk being dazzled or blinded by lasers.
“Currently, warfighters are using a set of interchangeable lenses that require them to stop and manually switch lenses to adjust the goggles to a particular light environment,” Everett said. “But they can’t take the time to stop and remove and replace the lenses.” According to information provided by ONR, the glasses meet the American National Standards Institute’s ballistic impact safety requirements.
The goal is obviously to get the wearer to keep his eyepro on whether inside or outside. However, as was pointed out to me by an industry insider, there’s a big difference between passing ANSI and the MILPRF 31013 milspec ballistic requirement. Thus far, LCDs haven’t been able to do it.
ONR’s TechSolutions department has already delivered the first 30 sets with promises of 100 more. The actual technology comes from Ohio-based AlphaMicron’s e-tint.
The photo came from jamesvaughanphoto.blogspot.com who shot it for AlphaMicron.
Further information on the e-tint technology can be found at www.alphamicron.com.
Revision has won the UK MoD’s first competition for protective eyewear since 2005. The Combat Protective Eyewear Tender (number DC4/4055) has an estimated contract value of £3.4 million to provide the UK MoD with Revision’s Sawfly® Military Eyewear System and Bullet Ant® Goggles.
“Revision is extremely proud to receive the UK MoD contract for Protective Combat Eyewear,†said Jonathan Blanshay, CEO of Revision. “The focus behind all Revision eyewear is to meet and exceed the stringent requirements set forth by our military customers. It’s an honor to be supplying UK troops with what we believe to be the best performance-enhancing eye protection products.â€
Colonel Peter Rafferty, Team Leader for Defence, Equipment and Support’s Personal Combat Equipment Team added, “All troops currently in Afghanistan are issued with protective eyewear as standard and these new additions are an enhancement over what is already out there. In addition to the ballistic protection these items offer, IED’s are a significant threat to our troops in theatre and the debris and dirt thrown up from a blast can be just as harmful to troops as the initial blast or fragmentation itself. This protective eyewear is the best chance they have of minimizing injuries to the eyes while still maintaining situational awareness and thus the ability to do their jobs.”
The Bullet Ant Goggle System provides ballistic protection against medium-energy fragmentation while protecting against the environment: sand, wind and dust. The goggle system features interchangeable OcuMax® coated lenses for high-performance anti-fog and anti-scratch capabilities and provides flawless optics for unprecedented visual clarity. It also accepts prescriptions.
Revision, has been awarded a $2.7 million contract with the Canadian DND to supply Air Force members with Ballistic Eyewear (BEW), also known as the Sawfly Spectacle System. The initial contract is to supply 33,000 kits and 40,000 additional lenses in 2011 with a 5 year option period. Revision first won the BEW contract for Canadian land forces in 2003.
“Revision is proud to provide the Canadian Air Force with their protective eyewear needs,†said Jonathan Blanshay, CEO of Revision. “Today’s battlefield requires protection from a growing list of threats, from IED shrapnel and flying debris to harmful laser wavelengths. Revision’s Sawfly Ballistic Eyewear is a single system that provides powerful ballistic protection and, at the customer’s request, the ability to protect against laser threats with high-performance, specialty lenses.â€
The Clothe The Soldier (CTS) did some great stuff, ten years ago it seems. Lately, Canadians have been referring to the program as Clown The Soldier which has concentrated on such epic improvements as camouflage boots. We have heard through the proverbial grapevine that almost all funding for Army upgrades via CTS have been pulled and that the Air Force and Navy are getting their turn. Since the Army fielded Sawflys several years ago, we think that this is a minor indicator that this may actually be the case.
At any rate, Sawflys rock. They are well made, meeting or exceeding ANSI Z87.1-2010 and U.S. military ballistic impact requirements (MIL-PRF-31013, clause 3.5.1.1 and MIL-DTL-43511D, clause 3.5.10). Additionally, Revision just released their small sizes. Not to be confused with Asian sizing,
Stay tuned, we have been chasing a new product from Revision for some time and finally have a sample to unveil.
Wiley X® has been making protective eyewear since 1985. Naturally, they will be presenting new products at this year’s SHOT Show. In fact, the show’s New Product Showcase will include the Wiley X Saber Advancedâ„¢ from the company’s Changeable Series. Additionally, Wiley X® will have two exhibits at the show, booth #128 and #20220, and will be generating additional buzz with its new Wiley X® Black Opsâ„¢ line — black on black shades in some of the company’s most popular styles, created for elite-level military and law enforcement personnel and dedicated shooters. Each “operative†in the series combines Wiley X’s High Velocity Protectionâ„¢ (HVPâ„¢) combined with cool, sleek designs. We checked the Operator series out last year but the booth was so swamped we couldn’t get in to talk to anyone. In addition to their tactical brands they will also have their new hunting eyewear on display.
For updates on Wiley X pro athletes and events, find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wileyxeyewear.
