Gentex and Teledyne win substantial DoD funding for laser safety eyewear

02 Oct 2018

Pilot safety development product contracts are worth up to $98 million each, deliverable by 2024.

Since 2005 at least 35,000 laser pointing strikes have been reported to the US FAA.

The US Department of Defense (DoD) has announced a range of technology development contracts at the end of September. Among the many land sea and air forces military technology innovations sought by the Department, several are focused on counter-laser beam eye protection systems for the US Army.

Since 2005 at least 35,000 laser pointing strikes have been reported to the US Federal Aviation Administration.

Gentex, based in Simpson, Pa; and Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, Thousand Oaks, Ca, have each been awarded a $98.3 million-ceiling, multiple award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for laser eye protection systems.

Gentex is a vertically-integrated company specializing in highly-automated electronics, CMOS camera development, vacuum coatings, glass bending and fabrication.

R&D investment

Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, which comprises Teledyne Scientific and Teledyne Imaging Sensors, transitions technologies developed with contract R&D investments from US Government agencies, such as the military.

The DoD contract provides for the development, manufacture, and delivery of different variants (“form factors”) of laser eye protection to be used for the purpose of protecting aircrew against emerging laser threats. Work will be performed in Simpson and Thousand Oaks locations and is scheduled to be completed by September, 2024.

This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and three offers were received, explained the DoD statement. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $10,000 will be obligated on the first delivery orders. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, in Ohio, is the contracting activity.