After more than three decades with little to no changes, Aviation Specialties Unlimited, (ASU) and Wilcox Industries revealed at the Helicopter Association International (HAI) annual HELI-EXPO in Louisville, Kentucky a new helmet mount and battery back for night vision goggles.

“Lighter, stronger, and easier to use are phrases we have all heard people ask for during the last few decades,” said ASU President Jim Winkel about helmet mounts and battery packs.  “In conjunction with Wilcox Industries, the team at ASU has produced the solution that the industry has demanded.”

ASU’s new helmet mount and battery pack is lighter, smaller and more durable because of the materials used in manufacturing.  Goggles can be easily mounted to the helmet with one hand, where previous models required two hands to properly align the goggles in the channel. The rugged design improves endurance and reduces the wear and tear of day to day use. It is also backward compatible with existing helmet mounts, battery packs and goggles.  Flight testing is already underway and the new products exceed DO-275 and TSO C-164 minimum standards.

ASU’s team of experienced pilots have thousands of collective hours flying with NVGs.  They understand the demands for pilots and crew, the physical requirements of wearing helmet mounted goggles and the intensity of the missions that are underway when using NVGs.

“We understand that pilots, and crew often have seconds to respond when a mission needs to get underway,” said Kim Harris, ASU Director of Flight Operations. “The older model helmet mounts are bulky, can break more easily if the goggles are not inserted properly, and can cause discomfort with prolonged use on the head, neck and back.  Making the mounts easy to use with one hand and making them lighter and more durable will enhance the mission, aid those using the equipment and reduce unnecessary breakage.”

ASU anticipates receiving certification in the summer of 2016 and will begin selling in the fall of 2016.  The prototype of the new mount and battery pack can be seen at ASU’s booth number 2000 at HELI EXPO.

About ASU:

Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU), http://www.asu-nvg.com was established in 1995 to meet the growing demand for aviation night vision systems. Since that time, the company has earned a reputation as a leading innovator in aviation night vision imaging system design, manufacturing, installation, certification, sales, training and service.  ASU continues to invest in the development of innovative products and solutions. In 2014, ASU began expanding its corporate headquarters and staff to better serve customers around the world who operate in the air, on land, and by sea.