ASU unveils new night vision goggles
Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) has announced that the company will offer a special introductory rate and package for its new E3 Lightweight Night Vision Goggle (NVG), and in celebration of the release, ASU is offering a special rate for those who preorder the first 100 E3 Goggles: US$11,995.
Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) has announced that the company will offer a special introductory rate and package for its new E3 Lightweight Night Vision Goggle (NVG), and in celebration of the release, ASU is offering a special rate for those who preorder the first 100 E3 Goggles: US$11,995.
The offer includes the Aeronox mount and battery pack for free, as well as a one-year warranty; in addition, those who purchase the first batch will also receive a special plaque of recognition, although this offer is only available to commercial customers and does not include federal or military organisations.
ASU President Jim Winkel said: “The industry has been asking for a lighter weight solution for night vision goggles for years. We listened and invested – every gram matters! First, we designed a new, robust, fully maintainable and lightweight Aeronox mount and battery pack. Then we launched development of our new E3 goggles and are in final qualification testing. We were able to take more than 200 grams of weight off the NVG users flight helmet, while improving functionality and performance. Our technical standard order (TSO) application for Aeronox mount and battery was submitted in December 2018. We anticipate submitting our TSO application for E3 during the first half of 2019.”
ASU is working to have the E3 goggles in production by the third quarter of 2019 – now that flight testing is complete and environmental testing is underway – and down payments on preorders of the E3 will be due once ASU sets the official production dates.
ASU Pilot and NVG Instructor Kim Harris, first to evaluate the E3 prototype in flight, has been flying with night vision goggles for years. He commented: “The E3 was easy to adjust and the optical quality was equivalent to the very best aviation NVGs currently available. Most notably, the 30 per cent reduction in goggle weight reduced neck strain and eliminated the need for extra counterweights which drastically improved the comfort. Increased range of eye span adjustment and tilt on the E3 combined with greater vertical travel on the Aeronox mount, will provide greater adaptability for a wide range of users.”