An Advanced Illumination System for Military Aviators

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.