USAF Awards $98 Million Worth Aircrew Laser Eye Protection Contract

The US Air Force has awarded a $98 million worth contract to two local firms: Gentex Corp. and Teledyne Scientific & Imaging LLC, for aircrew protection against lasers, the Department of defense announced Friday.

"Gentex Corp., Simpson, Pennsylvania; and Teledyne Scientific & Imaging LLC, Thousand Oaks, California, have each been awarded a $98,300,000 ceiling, multiple award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for laser eye protection," the DOD release said. 

This contract provides for the development, manufacture, and delivery of different variants or form factors of laser eye protection to be used for the purpose of protecting aircrew against emerging laser threats, the release said.

Work will be performed in Simpson, Pennsylvania; and Thousand Oaks, California, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 27, 2024, it added. 

Following the recent laser attack by Chinese nationals aimed at the US aircraft flying in the vicinity of Djibouti in May 2018, the USAF had issued the revised draft RFP builds on a previously issued solicitation for an aircrew laser eye protection (ALEP) Block 3 multi-year award contract.

As noted in the draft RFP, the ALEP Block 3 will provide full day and night protection, and will be compatible with all USAF aircraft, helmets, and cockpit displays and lighting.

Teledyne Scientific & Imaging already provides ALEP Block 2 solution under a USD30 million contract awarded in July 2016. The ALEP Block 2 is a spectacle-based solution.