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Posts Tagged ‘Aviation Specialties Unlimited’

SHOT Show 17 – Wilcox Industries / Aviation Specialities Unlimited

Thursday, January 19th, 2017


The Aeronox is a new mount designed by ASU and built by Wilcox. The legacy mount is 30 years old with a few bandaids thrown on over the years. It is manufactured from high impact Polymer with little metal and is intended for a 20 year life minimum with reinforcements in high wear areas.


They’ve eliminated the need for a neck cord by incorporated the Wilcox retractable cord. The cord will release at 10Gs just like the mount. Additionally, the mount fits the lines of a flight helmet very closely with cable connections fitting contours.


The Aeronox is a repairable item rather than a disposable item, unlike the legacy mount.  ASU has also introduced a new battery pack to work with the Aeronox. It’s smaller, lighter and eliminates the need for battery cartridges. They’ve also built in mounting points for a counterweight. Like the Aeronox mount, the battery case is repairable.


ASU/Wilcox also offers an adapter for the mount to attach to ground helmets. It incorporates the proper angles to facilitate use of the AVS-9 aviator goggle with a ballistic helmet. The Ground Adapter works on all three hole shroud systems and is light and sturdy.


You can also use any of the components with legacy systems.

www.asu-nvg.com

ASU Awarded Patent for Ultra-Compact Night Vision Video Camera

Tuesday, October 25th, 2016

‘Capture the Night’ with ASU’s Newly Patented Compact Night-Vision Video Camera

(BOISE, IDAHO– October 24th, 2016) Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) was awarded their first patent on the EcliptusTM night vision camera system that allows users to finally capture the night in full HD video.


The newly patented Ecliptus™ offers the functionality of the GoPro® HERO4 camera with the benefit of military-tested night vision light intensification. This new technology is a portable and user-friendly way to capture and stream video in extremely low-light scenarios.

“The Ecliptus™ is already being used by the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force for documentation, after-action reports, and even professional-quality video production,” said ASU CEO Mike Atwood. The portable size and convenience lends itself to applications in law enforcement, security, and defense as well research, recreation, and media production.”


The Ecliptus offers a 40-degree field of view, weighs less than one pound, is integrated with the GoPro® Hero 4 and captures images at 12 megapixels with a burst mode at 30 frames per second. It captures night vision images utilizing a military grade AN/PVS-14 objective lens, records in ultra-high definition (4X HD), and stores these images using a 16 GB SD card. Images and video can also be viewed in real time using WiFi enabled smart devices. The camera modes can be controlled using the GoPro® button controls and from mobile devices with the GoPro app.

“This patent is a major accomplishment for ASU,” said ASU President Jim Winkel. “ASU has been known for years as a night vision global leader providing equipment for aviation and ground-based operators. This patent heralds ASU’s emergence as a night vision manufacturer. Our growing capabilities enable us to listen to our customers need and design customized products that satisfy their mission-critical requirements. Each night men and women around the world conduct demanding, lifesaving missions. Through continued investment in new product, we will continue to enable those who serve and protect to complete their mission and return home safely. That is why we do what we do at ASU.”

Earlier this year, GoPro® invited ASU to be one of only a handful of companies to participate in their developers program; a program spear-headed by GoPro to support companies developing products that integrate with GoPro® technologies. ASU was selected to participate in the program because of the night vision capabilities that the Ecliptus brings to existing GoPro technology and its utilization to aid others in their mission to serve and protect.

“Obtaining the patent for the Ecliptus is something that inspires our entire company,” said ASU Chief Technology Officer Dr. Joseph Estrera. “The Ecliptus is a great product, but it is just the beginning of our new product development activities. We will continue our research and development efforts to invent and innovate products that enable others to serve and protect their communities.”

For additional information about the Ecliptus visit www.ecliptusnv.com

Aviation Specialties Unlimited Offers Limited Time GSA Special On Ecliptus

Thursday, June 2nd, 2016

Ecliptus GIF_03

(BOISE, IDAHO– May 27, 2016) GSA customers can now capture the night with the new Ecliptus, night vision GoPro camera and for a very limited time, below the micropurchase limit for Government Card Holders. The Ecliptus will be available for $3,495—a $2,000 discount—during the month of June by Aviation Specialties Unlimited, Inc. (ASU) a Boise, Idaho-based night vision company on GSA Contract GS-07F-0345J.

“We have received great feedback on the Ecliptus product,” said ASU President Jim Winkel. “The Ecliptus is rugged, lightweight, and affordable. Because the Ecliptus offers the unique combination of remote video recording with night vision capabilities using the GoPro HERO 4 camera, it is very appealing for law enforcement agencies, special task forces, search and rescue crews and numerous other public service organizations. The GSA special introductory pricing makes it even easier to purchase.”

The Ecliptus can record both day and night. This allows video documentation and still images for security, training, sporting, wildlife research and media production in extremely low light scenarios that were nearly impossible to document previously.

“We know that many agencies may need multiple Ecliptus camera systems, but this GSA introductory price will assure that at least the first one can be ordered without a lot of complications while also adhering to government buying guidelines. Once agencies see the value of our new product, we will work with them to arrange bulk orders, purchase orders, etc.”

The Ecliptus weighs less than one pound, is integrated with the GoPro HERO4 and captures images at 12 megapixels with a burst mode at 30 frames per second. It captures night vision images utilizing an AN/PVS-14 objective lens, records in ultra-high definition (4X HD), and stores these images using a 16 GB SD card. Images and video can also be viewed in real time using WiFi-enabled smart devices. The camera modes can be controlled using the GoPro button controls and optionally from remote mobile devices. The MSRP of the new Ecliptus is $5,499.

For more information about the introductory price, to obtain specification on the Ecliptus or for assistance placing an order visit www.asu-nvg.com/ecliptus or call 208-426-8117.

SOFIC – Wilcox Ind and Aviation Specialties Unlimited Partner To Offer Next Generation Aviation Mount Battery Pack

Wednesday, May 25th, 2016

Wilcox Industries has made a major announcement. They’ve teamed with Aviation Specialties Unlimited of Boise, Idaho to develop and offer a completely new mount and battery pack for aviation helmets.  For decades, the aviation community has used the same ANVIS mount and battery pack which are prone to damage and cannot be reliably repaired. The plan is to rectify that situation.

The mount will be modular and can not only be used with standard aviation helmets, but also with other Wilcox ground helmet shrouds. The mount will also be molded from advanced polymer materials. Between the mount and battery pack, they’ve successes in lowering the weight by 20 grams. Field maintainable, the items can also be evac’d to ASU for repair.

The power cord connector follows the contour of the helmet. Also, rather than a neck cord, aircrew will now have access to the Wilcox retractable lanyard like on ground applications.

Wilcox loves their dovetail mounts and they’ve integrated into the rear of the battery pack. An adapter plate is available that can velcroed unto the helmet for mounting. They’ve also eliminated the battery cartridges. ust put the batteries in, positive side up and users can swap between primary and auxiliary power.

ASU will be the exclusive distribution and maintenance channel as well the Parts Manufacture Authority for this new product, still under development with Wilcox. Their PMA certification is maintained through the FAA for safe to fly items. They expect full rate production by October, once EMI and environmental (Mil-Spec and DEFSTAN) testing are complete.

Aviation Specialties Unlimited And Wilcox Industries Partner Up To Built Next Generation Mounts And Battery Packs

Wednesday, April 27th, 2016

Military aviators in for stronger, lighter, easier-to-use NVG mount system

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For more than 30 years, night vision goggle (NVG) helmet mounts and battery packs used in military aviation have experienced few changes. After looking at the strengths and weaknesses, two leaders in aviation innovations, Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) and Wilcox Industries, joined forces to build the next generation of easy-to-operate mounts and battery packs.

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Unveiled at Heli-Expo 2016, ASU’s new NVG helmet mount and battery pack is lighter, smaller, easier to setup, and more durable than previous models. One of the most significant improvements allows users to mount NVGs to their helmet more easily with the use of just one hand.

“Operators of the new NVG mount and battery pack will need little or no training,” said Justin Watlington, Chief Pilot at ASU. “The transition will be seamless.”

He added that the companies addressed several issues with the legacy NVG mounts which included reoccurring breakage. “One problem that we saw time and again was cracking and breaking of the sidebars on the goggle mount,” He said. “While working through the Wilcox Industries engineering process, we resolved this and several other issues that resulted in a far more durable mount.”

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Unlike current NVG mounts, Justin explained that the new design allows for the replacement of the broken part, not the entire unit and at a fraction of the cost. It’s greater endurance, seamless training transition and reduced wear from day-to-day use is a budget-friendly upgrade.

Testing is already underway on the mount and battery pack, which exceeds DO-275 and Technical Standard Order C-164 standards. ASU anticipates receiving certification in the fall of 2016 and pricing will be announced when full production begins this fall.

www.asu-nvg.com