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Night vision technology has shaped history. Pre 1940s: Flares and spot lights were used

for operations at night.

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Due to the nature of these early night vision

devices (NVD), they gave away tactical

positions. Military scientists began to think of ways to

improve night vision to gain a strategic

advantage.

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The first night vision devices (NVD) were

created during WWII.

Functioned by placing an infrared filter over asearchlight.

Fighters would use special binoculars to see

using the light from the searchlights. Many problems came from this night vision

method.

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The screen was purposefully coloredgreen due to the scientific fact that the

human eye can differentiate more

shades of green that any other color.

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There were many disadvantages to using the

searchlights and flares. The actual searchlight was massive and had

to be mounted on a truck or tank.

Both the Allies and Nazis had thistechnology, so they each could see the otherslight.

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The images created were streaky and

distorted.

The acceleration of electrons cut the life ofthe image intensification tube, which was the

most important and expensive part of the

NVD,

very short. Military scientists began planning a revised

design.

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Post WWII NVD technology focused on the

ability to see without creating additionallight.

During this time period the first Generationof NVD began using intensified natural

lighting.

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Military scientists created a two-stage

cascade image tube.

This tube intensified the natural lighting andcreated a superior image for the viewer.

The power of Generation 1 NVD was put tothe test in the Vietnam War.

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StarTron Scopes intensification tubes were as

heavy as the rifles they were mounted on.

They were not sensitive enough to give clearimages in anything less than full moonlight.

The NVD emitted a whiney noise.

They would shut down if they were exposed

to a sudden burst of bright light.

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There were two major developments in NVD

technology after their test in Vietnam.

The first was a new micro-channel plate(MPC) that was light weight, and more

effective at focusing light into clear images.

The second major development was the

invention of thermal imagining.

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Thermal imaging allowed for NV even

through low natural lighted conditions.

It also allowed for NV through smoky, dusty,and foggy conditions.

These thermal imagers were expensive, so in1973 scientists created a common module

that made it less expensive, and more idealfor military use.

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The generation 2 NVD were first put to the

test by US forces in the early 1990s duringOperation DesertStorm in Kuwait.

The dark nights and harsh dusty conditionswere perfect for implementing the new

technology.

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The currently generations of NVS are

generations 3 and 4.

Generation 3 is much like generation 2 exceptfor it has a substantially longer life, as well as

more defined images.

Generation 4 has less noise than generation

3, however it has shorter life.

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Here is a chart comparing the life in hours of

the intensification tube for generations 1-3

Generation 1 Generation 2 Generation 3

2,000 hours 2,500-4,000 hours 10,000 hours

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U.S

. forces use generation 3because despite its slightly lessclear image, and slightly morenoisy design compared to

generation 4, it has a longerlife in hours which is moreimportant when all things areconsidered.

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Development of NVD up until the 1980s was

completely focused around military purposes. In the 80s, companies in the US and Europe

took NVT and found ways to improveeveryday civilian life.

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There are many practical everyday uses for

NVD, some of which are:

Law Enforcement

Hunting

Surveillance

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Security

Navigation

Hidden-Object detection

Entertainment

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