In the ever-evolving field of aviation, where safety and precision are paramount, Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) has illuminated the skies with its groundbreaking E3 aviation night vision goggles (NVGs).

This technological marvel has not only captivated the aviation community but has also earned recognition for its lightweight design, advanced features, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Join us as we explore the brilliance behind the E3 and its role as a beacon of excellence in low-light navigation, with a particular focus on how it addresses a longstanding concern in aviation — the weight on a pilots’ head, neck and spine.

Unparalleled lightweight design

ASU understands the significance of weight in aviation equipment and the effect on pilot safety and fatigue. The E3 sets a new standard with its remarkable 30 percent reduction in weight compared to legacy systems. Specifically, the E3 system sheds 362 grams (13 ounces) of head borne weight when the battery pack counter weights — which keep the goggle helmet balanced — are also removed.

ASU’s commitment to pilot well-being is evident in the words of ASU’s president Dr. Joseph Estrera who emphasized the innovative aspect of the E3. According to Estrera, what makes the new product truly groundbreaking is its ability to significantly decrease neck strain on pilots and crew members by reducing the overall weight of the goggles and helmet. This response to a longstanding request from the aviation community reflects ASU’s dedication to providing solutions that prioritize the comfort and safety of those in the cockpit.

With the E3’s lightweight design, pilots can focus more on their mission objectives and flight performance, while simultaneously experiencing improved comfort and reduced fatigue, ultimately contributing to their overall safety and mission effectiveness.

E3’s improved design and performance

•           30 percent lighter than currently fielded systems (about 210 grams lighter, or 362 grams when the battery pack counter weights
are removed);

•           Lower total helmet weight reduces neck strain;

•           Durable, military-grade aluminum and titanium construction;

•           Highly intuitive adjustment and innovative front focus;

•           Collimation set for life;

•           Backward compatible with legacy ANVIS mounts and battery packs;

•           Less maintenance due to
fewer parts;

•           Highest available EMI/EMC (electromagnetic interference/electromagnetic compatibility) shielding;

•           Increased eye relief;

•           Greater unaided look-under, look-around viewing;

•           High figure of merit (FOM), Gen III white phosphor image technology;

•           Patented technology and design.

Early adopters

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Aviation Division, Bell Helicopter Training Academy, Norwegian Air Ambulance, Heli-Flight Germany, and Heli Austria — these some of the organizations at the forefront of E3 adoption, showcasing a commitment to cutting-edge technology and operational excellence. These adoptions extend beyond technological upgrades, representing significant investments in crew well-being and mission optimization. By prioritizing fatigue reduction and mission success, these organizations set a pioneering example for the integration of advanced night vision technology in the aviation landscape.

Coolest Thing Made in Idaho Award

ASU, proudly based in Idaho, was honored for developing the groundbreaking E3, winning the “Coolest Thing Made in Idaho” Award. This recognition underscores E3’s impact beyond aviation, marking it as an innovation that transcends traditional boundaries. ASU’s commitment to excellence in developing the E3 has not only enhanced night vision capabilities but also secured E3’s distinguished place in Idaho’s innovation landscape.

ASU’s E3 aviation NVG has emerged as a revolutionary force in the aviation industry, not only for its cutting-edge technology and versatility but also for its commitment to addressing the physical challenges faced by pilots. With its reduced weight, the E3 is not just a technological marvel, but a solution that prioritizes the well-being of those in the cockpit. As the demand for cutting-edge night vision capabilities continues to grow, the E3 stands at the forefront, guiding the aviation community into a new era of enhanced safety, performance, and innovation.

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Wisk Aero, an advanced air mobility (AAM) company, and ReD Associates, a humanities and social science-based strategy consultancy, have released a whitepaper that explores the AAM industry’s potential for providing safe, fast, and affordable mobility solutions for people with disabilities.

Despite mobility’s rapid evolution, many forms of transit still face challenges in providing consistent, efficient, affordable, and accessible services, and people with disabilities continue to encounter barriers to mobility.

The rise of advanced air mobility and the development of air taxis for passenger use presents an opportunity to address these barriers and improve the quality of mobility experiences.

The whitepaper, eVTOL Air Taxis: New Opportunities for Equitable Transport, synthesizes the most significant challenges for AAM around creating a valuable and equitable travel experience for everyone, and provides a call to action to mobility providers to place accessibility at the center of the industry.

The paper also summarizes the research conducted by Wisk and ReD, as well as the key findings. The findings underscore the need for AAM to redefine accessibility and emphasize five distinct levels of accessibility:

• Access: Ensuring physical and informational access for people with disabilities in mobility spaces and services
• Physical Safety: Addressing concerns related to physical injury, exposure to illness, and discomfort during travel
• Emotional Safety: Mitigating the stress and vulnerability experienced during travel, including invasive security checks and interactions with fellow passengers
• Equal Expenditure & Efficiency: Streamlining processes and reducing waiting times, energy expenditure, and the need for extensive support
• Joy & Inclusion: Promoting the emotional and social aspects of travel, avoiding feelings of isolation and marginalization

“Technology has greatly improved the lives of individuals with disabilities,” said Uri Tzarnotzky, head of product design at Wisk. “However, there is still a disparity between advancements in technology and the transportation and mobility experiences for many, including those with disabilities.

“At Wisk, our goal is to deliver safe, everyday flight through our autonomous air taxi. Pursuing only the essential minimums of accessibility isn’t enough. By thinking about accessibility from the start, we can realize the full potential of this new form of technology and ensure that it serves everyone. Developing ways to reduce the friction inherent to multi-modal journeys for passengers living with disabilities is a priority at Wisk.”

“For years, we’ve seen in our work on mobility how challenging moving around cities can be, particularly for the large number of people with disabilities,” said Ian Dull, Partner at ReD.

“By deeply understanding the needs of people with disabilities and addressing them from the ground up in its aircraft, Wisk is ensuring that next generation urban mobility offers truly accessible experiences, not Band-aid solutions, and pushing other players in the AAM ecosystem to raise the bar.”

Wisk partnered with ReD Associates to investigate how AAM can provide an inclusive mobility experience and develop a whitepaper for the industry. Wisk and ReD undertook a mixed methods study of people with disabilities’ unmet mobility needs and challenges around intra-urban and exurban travel (travel to destinations within and around cities) in line with future AAM use cases.

This press release was prepared and distributed by Wisk.

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Amprius Technologies, Inc., a leader in next-generation lithium-ion batteries with its Silicon Anode Platform, announced it completed a high-volume shipment of SiMaxx cells to the Korean Aerospace Research Institute(KARI), known as the aeronautics and space agency of South Korea, further strengthening Amprius’ position as the premier global battery solution for HAPS applications.

“This partnership with KARI achieves several of our goals, including validating our innovative technology on a global scale and highlighting our ability to provide industry-leading HAPS solutions,” said Dr. Kang Sun, CEO of Amprius Technologies.

“We remain committed to delivering unmatched battery performance for the future of aerospace technology and look forward to our continued efforts in collaboration with the KARI team in the future.”

In December 2023, Amprius completed a volume shipment of its 450 Wh/kg SiMaxx cells to KARI to power their solar-powered stratospheric full-scale vehicle. Amprius SiMaxx cells are designed to reduce weight and increase aircraft flight distance range significantly.

SiMaxx cells are the only known commercially available batteries that can provide enough power and endurance for HAPS overnight stratospheric flight applications and can enable higher payloads and operation in both all seasons and higher latitudes.

These cells are also customizable, ensuring tasks are executed according to a company’s specifications while providing greater flexibility to meet specific energy and power needs, ultimately enhancing performance effectiveness and efficiency.

“Our pursuit of groundbreaking stratospheric missions demands cutting-edge energy solutions to meet stringent performance criteria,” said Seung-jae Hwang, project manager of KARI’s Solar HALE project.

“Integrating Amprius’ ultra-high-energy density batteries into our solar-powered electrical aerial vehicle allows us to significantly enhance the overall performance and viability of our missions while redefining the cargo capability and extending flight durations in the stratosphere.”

Amprius’ 450 Wh/kg custom cell form factors are positioned to improve performance across several applications, including electric aviation (high-energy drones such as HAPS) as well as high-energy storage applications for the military. These 450 Wh/kg cells are expected to be manufactured in large-scale production at Amprius’ facility in Colorado, targeted to be operational in 2025.

This press release was prepared and distributed by Amprius.

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