The Original Pilot sunglasses from American Optical exude decades of history, proven performance, and pure coolness. The aviator-style frame has its origin in the ‘50s, where it was modeled after the FG-58 goggles worn by American pilots across the military Read More
AO made the HGU-4/P (these aviators) first as well as all of the predecessor designs, and worked with the military to develop MIL-S-25948 (the spec that defines these). Because these are technically a “build to spec” item for the DoD, anyone can manufacture them and compete for production contracts, provided they can actually meet or exceed the spec. It just so happens the RE won the contract back in 1978 and kept winning it up until the most recent contract award (2019?). And WRT the question about polarization, per the spec, these should NOT be polarized as it can interfere with instrument legibility and polarized lens are variants meant for the commercial market.
P.S. This model from AO is what they gave to the Apollo (and other) astronauts.