SBIR-STTR Award

Improved cockpit illumination has been identified as an area of interest during discussions with key personnel across United States Air Force and Navy Aviation communities. Current cockpit lighting systems are expensive and require the use of a lip-actuator to illuminate an NVIS-compatible light emitting diode (LED) located on a microphone boom or on the oxygen mask, which is attached to the flight helmet. This type of activation is not ideal for aviators and the illumination provided by these devices is lacking. Furthermore, current lip-activated illumination devices can only be used inside the cockpit when the pilot has donned his or her helmet. They are of no use outside of the aircraft. For illumination outside of the aircraft, aviators use small handheld flashlights that they then stow and carry within a pocket or pouch during flight. Flashlights without retention mechanisms have the potential for being lost and creating a Foreign Object and Debris (FOD) issue. First-Light USA will design and develop a new illumination device that enhances cockpit illumination while also providing effective illumination outside of the aircraft and infrared signaling capability.Illumination,Signaling,NVIS,Infrared,Cockpit,

Todays USAF Airmen require hands-free, Night Vision Information Systems (NVIS) compatible illumination devices for use inside of aircraft during flight.They also require high-brightness lighting tools for use outside of the aircraft while performing pre and post-flight inspections and other tasks.Additionally, they need infrared (IR) and visible beacons to signal Search and Rescue (SAR) personnel during rescue operations.First-Light USA's GLIDR concept combines all these capabilities into a single device; lightening the load, reducing costs and complexity, and increasing Airmen performance during low light operations.First-Light USA will interact with Airmen representing a wide array of roles and responsibilities in order to develop and deliver the ideal solution.These interactions will yield requirements and specifications that will result in Alpha prototypes that will then be tested and refined into a set of Beta prototypes for field testing with Airmen.Ultimately, a final, fully-commercialized product design will be achieved; enabling full production to commence at the end of this Phase 2 effort. GLIDR will set a new standard for portable lighting within the USAF and across military aviation.Outside of defense, GLIDR will displace current lighting tools used within the law enforcement and emergency responder, industrial, and outdoor recreational markets.