DECEMBER 17, 2024 – After an extensive test and evaluation process, the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Aeromedical Systems Branch has officially certified that SPYDR is safe for use on select aircraft.
SPYDR, by Spotlight Labs, are small earcups with an integrated blood oxygen and heart rate sensor, which rest on an artery underneath the ear, to allow for real-time monitoring and alerting of impending physiological events.
The device gathers biometric data such as heart rate, and oxygen levels, and collects aircraft condition data during flight. The information can be used for post-flight analysis and to improve flight outcomes.
“Back in 2018, SPYDR was conceptualized to provide an alert response capability for some of our aircrew,” said TJ Turner, the integrated product team lead for SPYDR and the branch’s lead program manager for labs. “Since then, its software, hardware and firmware have been updated so that we now have a device that may mitigate potentially life-threatening events before they become an emergency for the pilot or aircrew. The capabilities SPYDR provides, make the flying community a safer place to be.”
Prior to the recent Safe to Fly, SPYDR underwent vigorous test and evaluation of approximately 40 test devices on almost 100 flights via four mission design series platforms in the United States and overseas to ensure it was safe for use.
“There are a lot of requirements that have to be met to certify that systems are capable and safe to be flown on aircraft,” said Scott Anderson, chief engineer for the branch, speaking about the Air Force’s airworthiness process. “Some of the testing might include human factors testing, altitude and rapid decompression testing, temperature testing and impact testing. There are a lot of areas we look at to certify systems or devices such as SPYDR, are safe on aircraft.”
Currently, SPYDR has been issued a “Safe to Fly” for use on F-15 Eagles, F-16 Fighting Falcons, F-22 Raptors, and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, T-6A Texan IIs, T-38 Talons, and T-1A Jayhawks and is currently available for commercial acquisition; sustainment responsibilities belong to the purchasing organizations.
“The feedback we’ve received from aircrew members about SPYDR, has been very positive so far,” said Scott Murphy, chief of the Aeromedical Systems Branch. “But none of our efforts to field this device would be possible without the support of the 422nd and 59th Test and Evaluation Squadrons at Nellis Air Force Base. They were the operational test organizations that worked with us to plan, facilitate and execute operational test of the device, and for that they have our gratitude.”
The SPYDR device and support packages are commercial off-the-shelf products that units can procure directly from the manufacturer.
By Brian Brackens
Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Public Affairs