Review of the international market of night vision devices..
Salikov Vyacheslav Lvovich
THE EPOCH OF NIGHT WAR.
Review of the international market of night vision devices.
In the article devoted to the history of the development of night vision devices (NVD), the issue of the current state of the market for this type of equipment was already touched upon and some of the most famous companies were mentioned. In fact, today the fleet of «night vision devices» has become so large, and there are so many companies working in this area, that a fairly solid catalog would be needed to analyze the current situation. The amazing successes of using night vision equipment during military conflicts and a number of special operations have led to the emergence of dozens of new enterprises and an expansion of the range of devices produced.
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Some classification of the market segment under consideration by companies developing and producing NVDs will allow us to obtain the most general idea of the current situation. First of all, we should highlight the largest manufacturers (they are also usually the developers). Key positions in this business are occupied by companies capable of developing and producing the most technologically complex NVD component, the electron-optical converter or EOC. Such companies are the leaders. Here we should pay attention to the continuously competing North American champions — Littonand IIT. These two largest companies in the field of optoelectronic devices production are thriving and successfully developing their production on profitable and constantly renewed orders of the US government, called «Omnibus I-IV». At present, a new contract is being prepared — »Omni-V». Some large European firms are also trying to compete with the Americans. Here it is worth noting the subsidiaries Delft Electronic Products (DEP), as a manufacturer of image intensifier tubes, and Delft Sensor Systems, as a manufacturer of night vision devices from the Delft Instruments Group (Netherlands/Belgium); Tomson–GSF (France); EEV, a division of Optosis and GEC-Marconi (the latter specializes in the production of aviation night vision devices, England). Philips (Netherlands), one of the largest European manufacturers of optoelectronic products, continues to develop and manufacture image intensifier tubes.
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The national interests of many countries in the field of security have recently led to the emergence of many companies — compilers in the field of production, and subsequently the development of their own design of NVDs based on available high-tech units. The successful development of these companies was facilitated not only by internal, including financial support, but also by a well-developed technology of assembly and adjustment of the devices themselves, which can initially be purchased as a set of semi-finished products, developed by production leaders. The latter was a consequence of the thoroughness of the design development, oriented by companies to ensure servicing of products by consumers in the field. Here, a rather motley picture has developed. For example. ELOPTRO (South Africa); SAMSUNG (South Korea) (jointly with Tompson-CSF, but they mainly produce a line of American models); TRANSVARO(Turkey) (the same American NVGs) and others.
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Of great interest are the companies that have recently emerged as innovators with new designs, often based on original solutions. Usually, such companies act under the flag of large corporations that provide them with access to controlled components and the necessary financial assistance.
Market segmentation by NVG manufacturers can serve as a demonstration of the leadership of US companies. Almost all devices today are produced on the basis of II+ and III generation image intensifiers with extremely high resolution. AN/PVS-5B glasses, which are in service with the US Army, as well as many others – are now being replaced by modern AN/PVS-7B/D, IIT/Litton, developed to support ground forces. Some of the American NVDs mentioned in the article are produced by both companies under unified or their own indexes. The binocular model AN/PVS–5B using two EOPs – II (with electronic image rotation) was already mentioned in the previous article. Pseudo-binocular AN/PVS-7B/D(photo 1), are perhaps one of the most common glasses in the world. They are sold almost openly in the II+ EOP configuration and are produced by compiler companies in cooperation with manufacturers of the main components. The AN/PVS-7C (A) model (photo 2), which is practically identical in characteristics, was developed for the US Army Special Forces; a modification with the C> index for the needs of the naval forces, ensuring operations in water at a depth of up to 20 m. At the same time, the AN/PVS-7A pseudo-binocularis modified in the form of a line of binoculars with 3X, 4X and 6X magnification using the corresponding lenses installed by the manufacturer, and the AN/PVS-7B model is equipped with 3X and 5X afocal attachments (installed on the standard 1X lens in the field) or can be used with a set of lenses of the AN/PVS-7A model. In addition, other modifications of the same series are produced, for example, the F5010 (GEN III) binoculars manufactured by ITT (Fig. 3), which received 100% of the “Omni-IV” contract for the basic AN/PVS-7D modeland aviation glasses ANVIS (III generation). Some comparative characteristics of the glasses are presented in Table 1.
Table 1. Comparative characteristics of ONV-pseudo-binoculars
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Among the European analogues, it is worth noting the BIG25/BIG35 glasses/binoculars by Leika (binoculars using a mirror lens) (photo 4), and LUNOS (photo 5), from Delft(with a similar lens). Of course, these and similar glasses/binoculars are also produced (and sometimes simply sold) by compilers, for example: AN/PVS-7B TRANSVARO (Turkey) and SAMSUNG South Korea); model NG-35/NB-15 (photo 6), ELOPTRO (South Africa); ORT 9402/9404 (photo 7), ORTEK Ltd.(Israel). All the mentioned devices are ultimately identical in their characteristics and their key parameters vary only by the type of the image intensifier tube used. A significant difference, as well as an advantage, is the use of glasses with afocal attachments, allowing them to be used as night vision binoculars. All the glasses considered are distinguished by their significant length and weight, which hinders their use in confined spaces (rooms, car cabins, etc.), as well as long-term wear. Some companies are trying to improve the ergonomics of glasses by developing new low-profile or «flat» optical schemes. One of the first such designs is SIMRAD GN1 (photo 8), SIMRAD Optronic Ltd.(Norway). It is characterized by a relatively low resolution, a fairly complex optical scheme and, consequently, a high price. A good impression was made by the night glasses with a field of view angle increased to 50° LUCIE (photo 9), developed by Angenue (a subsidiary of Tompson-GSF, France), equipped with a 4X interchangeable lens, demonstrated at the Paris exhibition MILIPOL in 1999. The characteristics of the «advanced» glasses are presented in Table 2. An interesting new product is also the NVG CLARA (photo 10), SFIM industries (France). In these original glasses with an angular field of >50°, the lens is offset from the center and installed on the right. The device can easily be converted into binoculars using a 4X interchangeable lens.
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Table 2. Comparative characteristics of new NVG pseudo-binoculars.
Night vision monoculars are used as widely as glasses for the needs of special services and army units. Among the most well-known models are M982/983, Litton (photo 11). Such devices use the same type of lenses as glasses (afocal attachments) and an image intensifier with a built-in erecting element (IE). Similar monoculars have been developed on the basis of these image intensifiers, for example NG-45 (photo 12), ELOPTRO; ORT-3151/3153 and the same type ORT-3152 (photo 13), ORTEK Ltd., which can be used as an attachment with 1X and 3X interchangeable lenses. All these devices operate on one AA-Alkaline, 1.5 v or AA-Lithium, 3.6 v battery. For the needs of the US Armed Forces, ITT has developed and supplies a new portable multi-purpose monocular PVS-14, which can be head-mounted, helmet-mounted or mounted on a weapon. In general, multi-purpose modifications of monoculars look very attractive. Not only sights are made on their basis, but also various photo and film attachments. Here it is worth noting the monocular-sight MIMS (M943+3X) (photo 14), Litton, developed on the basis of the M983 model with afocal attachments for the M4A1 carbine; the M942/944 modular monocular, equipped with adapters for docking with photo and CCTV cameras. The English GEC-Marconi offers its own version of a multifunctional «night light» with a full set of accessories Ground Owl (photo 15).However, monocular-based scopes have not yet gained wide recognition due to the contradictory requirements for their design in terms of strength and reliability, ensuring the presence of a built-in aiming mark and a significant eyepiece exit pupil distance — at least 50 mm. Since almost all major manufacturers of «night vision» have monoculars in their arsenal, it makes no sense to indicate all types of existing designs due to their triviality. In conclusion of this section, it is useful to note the emergence of OnX2 technology, as another result of the development of multi-purpose modifications of the monocular, first demonstrated at the Paris MILIPOL exhibition in two versions: the OnX2 RB9712-A/B/C/D model (the last letter of the index is the type of the image intensifier used) and Super-OnX2 (photo 16), developed on the basis of M982/983, Henry Technical Services, Inc,USA. In addition to the functions of a monocular and attachments installed on or instead of a standard lens, the new models can be quickly docked with conventional daytime optical devices, turning them into night vision devices, for example, with an optical sight using a sliding clamp. In the described version, the eyepiece has two exit pupil distances, so that when the device is installed on the eyepiece part of the sight, a distance of 75 mm is ensured. In this design, the presence of a sighting mark is not provided. The new modification is oriented towards use by tactical groups of law enforcement agencies and special forces. The future will show how popular this solution will be in practice. For now, it should be noted that the ergonomics of this solution is controversial, and the use of «daytime» optics for night vision is not recommended due to lower requirements for the relative aperture of the lens. Comparative characteristics of night vision monoculars are given in Table 3.
Table 3. Comparative characteristics of night vision monoculars.
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Aviation glasses.The widespread use of NVGs by ground forces predetermined the need for tactical aviation to master the night sky, capable of supporting ground operations and conducting search and rescue and evacuation operations. Successful night piloting required the ability to see the surrounding space at minimum illumination levels of about Ј 10–4 lux, i.e., under cloudy skies, as well as solving many problems associated with the lighting re-equipment of the aircraft. The minimum illumination level for the effective use of NVGs was reduced with the development of a highly sensitive GaAs photocathode and the use of a third-generation image intensifier tube. The pioneers in this area were the Americans. The night use of tactical and then civil aviation was so successful that it caused a real boom in the field of offers of various models of aviation NVGs in the last few years. The main model used in the US Armed Forces and a number of allied states for piloting helicopters in all branches of the armed forces has become the AN/AVS–6 (ANVIS)(photo 17). Such aviation glasses are a binocular system (two independent parallel optical channels) with two third-generation image intensifiers. For piloting aircraft equipped with ejection seats, the company ITT has developed a modernized model ANVIS AVS-9. The peculiarity of these devices is the installation of power sources in a special container, which is fixed on the back of the pilot's helmet and acts as a counterweight to relieve the neck muscles. Needless to say, such designs provide all types of adjustments relative to the position of the pupils of the eyes, folding and quick-release mechanisms, in which special contacts are mounted to supply voltage to the power sources independently for each optical channel. The landing places of the mechanisms of all models of aviation glasses are consistent with the standard helmets used in the national Air Force and are usually offered in a set: helmet plus glasses with accessories. The development of such systems is often impractical and some companies supply the same American aviation glasses, such as ORT-ANVIS MKII, Ortek Ltd. The peculiarity of this model is the supply with both EOP III and Super II+. The use of the latter allows to significantly reduce the cost of glasses, which is attractive to owners of private light aircraft and will avoid US control over the production of EOP III. Delft offers its original design of aviation glasses based on the Super II+ HELIMUN image intensifier(photo 18). Using one optical channel of this model and similar adjustment units, the same company also produces a monocular, the disadvantage of which can be considered a separate compartment of power sources, which limits the scope of application of the device. Two modifications of aviation glasses NITE-OP and alternative NIGHTBIRD (photo 19), differing only in the mechanisms of fastening to the helmet, are offered by GEC-MarconiThese devices use an integrated power supply compartment with two 1/2 AA lithium batteries; 3.5 V size, which acts as a guide for installing optical channels at the base of the eyes. Finally, it is worth mentioning the CN2-H model, from SFIM (photo 20), which is distinguished by the original design of the adjustment system.
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In conclusion of the review of classic dual-channel NVGs, it is worth mentioning binocular AN/PVS-15 (BNVS) (photo 21), developed by Litton for the US Navy. These expensive glasses clearly show the design features of the M982/983 monocular and are also suitable for diving to a depth of 20 m. Their appearance is explained by the better perception of the perspective of stereo systems, which is necessary when driving vehicles and sea boats at high speeds. ITT went even further, having developed panoramic night vision goggles with an angular field of 100°. The design of these unique systems uses four miniature image intensifier tubes with a photocathode diameter reduced to 12 mm. Unfortunately, the author has no information about the use of these devices.
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The appearance of ANVISallowed for night-time piloting, but some issues of coordinating aviation glasses with lighting equipment, especially information equipment in the pilot's cabin, still remain. Another problem is protection from external sources of interference, such as the onboard lights of other aircraft, or significant background brightness when observing extended surfaces with uniform reflectivity, such as a snow plain and a water surface. It is also difficult to ensure piloting with a large spread in illumination. The problem of protecting the image intensifier from overload in the visible wavelength range is solved by using an interference filter called «minus blue», often in combination with a diaphragm for part of the visible light (a small hole in the center of a thin-film filter applied to the surface of the objective lens), which is typical for ANVIS. Instrument panel indicators and cockpit lighting systems are equipped accordingly. The most difficult problem remains the control of instrument information about the flight and the state of various technical systems, including onboard weapons, in a rapidly changing environment. In aviation glasses, the lenses are adjusted to infinity for observing the external (behind the cockpit) space. When shifting the gaze to the near plane (i.e. to the instrument panels), it is necessary to refocus both lenses, which is extremely difficult to do in piloting conditions. The shape of compact modern binoculars and a significant exit pupil distance of 20 mm allow you to control the instrument panels by slightly squinting your eyes past the eyepieces, which is not very convenient. This problem was initially solved using special combined systems in the form of image formation units and a display attachment to the glasses, in the English version HMD (Helmet-Mounted Display) or HUD (Head-Up Display). In similar systems such as HESPERUS (photo 22), KENTRON (a division of DENEL Ltd., South Africa), or ANVIS/HUD, Elbit(Israel), instrument information is fed to the on-board computer, which generates a special symbolic and graphic image projected through an attachment on the lens of one of the glasses channels in the pilot's field of view. Such a system violates the identity of the characteristics of the optical channels of the binocular glasses and limits the possibilities of information control to the input volume.
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The emergence of such systems, especially in terms of information processing, predetermined, to some extent, the next step in the development of night vision devices – “holographic” glasses. These devices allow observation in the visible and IR wavelength ranges converted by the image intensifier tubes through special holographic optical elements (Holographic Optical Elements, HOE). In essence, such elements are narrow-band mirrors that reflect the image of the image intensifier tube screen projected onto them at the wavelength of its radiation and transmit the rest of the visible light. The result is a composite image that provides a natural perception of perspective. Cats Eyes (photo 23), GEC-Marconi, Avionics division, developed in the ANVIS configuration, can be used as an illustration of the use of holographic elements in the design of glasses.. Such technology allows for simultaneous observation of any synthesized sign-symbolic information, also projected into the pilot's field of view on holographic elements. The implementation of the idea of total synthesis of video information was the AN/PVS-502 aviation glasses (photo 24), developed by Litton for the Canadian Air Force. GEC-Marconi also offers its concept in the form of a stereoscopic night vision system and input of synthesized on-board information KNIGHTHELM, fully integrated into a special aviation helmet.(Photo 25). Here the overall image is observed on special transparent displays fixed in front of the pilot's eyes. Further steps towards improving individual video information systems have led to the emergence of integral display helmets with such a level of information mixing that they can already be considered a phenomenon of «virtual reality».
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The desire to achieve the greatest naturalness of visual perception inspired the Belgian company Delft Sensor Systemsfor the development of holographic glasses for driving ground vehicles and supporting special forces operations. At the Paris exhibition Evrosatory in 1998, this company successfully demonstrated stereoscopic glasses HNV-3D (photo 26) with two image intensifiers and single-channel HNV-1(photo 27), as a holographic analogue of pseudo-binoculars. The peculiarity of devices with channel summation is to provide a panoramic view in the visible range of wavelengths, i.e. a field of view angle of > 100°, with a picture of the EOP screen embedded in the central part of the observed image. The field of view angle of the IR channel is standard for individual wearable NVGs — 30° — 40°. It is worth explaining that conventional modern NVGs are not ergonomic in terms of optical characteristics. Low-contrast image, especially at threshold illumination, reduced field of view angle and lack of stereoscopic effect — these shortcomings appear under conditions of maximum stress, when a person begins to act on an instinctive level. As a result, people often get rid of the glasses and continue moving blindly. Panoramic holographic stereoscopic glasses promise to get rid of these shortcomings. Thus, the most complex and expensive solution turned out to be the most ergonomic, and therefore the most attractive for ensuring the implementation of important tasks. Of course, such systems are still distinguished by significant weight and size parameters and maximum price, but they are the ones that allow European manufacturers to remain competitive with the Americans. Thus, in November 1997, Delft received a contract worth $759 million for the supply of HNV-3D for the US Army!
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Finally, the starting direction of NVG application is night sights. Litton sets the tone here.with several model solutions. Very popular are the AQUILA I (AN/PVS-12A) and III families with 4X and 6X objectives (photo 28), and the RANGER also 4X and 6X (photo 29). The first ones use a III image intensifier tube with a reversing system (they are often referred to as ANVIS). The RANGER has a standard planar image intensifier tube and an eyepiece system with an intermediate reversing objective, i.e. a design similar to a 1/2 pseudo-binocular. Modification of the AQUILA is AN/PVS-13 (LMNUS)allows you to register radiation with a wavelength of 1.06 μm due to the use of an image intensifier with an advanced IR photocathode sensitivity – Near IR GEN III.
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The day/night sight AN/PVS-10 (photo 30), with a magnification of 8.5X and 12X, looks impressive. Comparative characteristics of these and some other devices are given in Table 4. Manufactured by Littonsights and with mirror-lens objectives: AN/PVS–4 and AN/TVS–5, the latter is distinguished by a television eyepiece with an increased exit pupil diameter of 34 mm. Among the achievements of ITT is the night sight Stinger (F4960, GEN III+I), designed to provide firing from the portable missile launcher of the same name, but can also be installed on small arms. The design of this sight uses a two-chamber EOP III with a 25 mm photocathode diameter and an additional camera with electrostatic image transfer (F4844). This configuration allows you to achieve the highest electronic gain with excellent resolution and simultaneous image rotation. As a result, Stinger allows you to detect tactical targets at a distance of about 10 km.
Table 4. Comparative characteristics of some night sights.
Almost all the companies mentioned in the article produce night sights. For comparative analysis, it is useful to cite a few more designs: MUNOS WS 4/6 (photo 31), Delft, ORT-MS4 (photo 32), and TS-5 (photo 33), ORTEС, the latter with a mirror-lens objective and a regular or modified television eyepiece. MAXI–KITE (photo 34) with an afocal attachment, Pilkington (England) looks good. Within the framework of the new ideology of multifunctional application, ITT offered a modular day/night sight with a replaceable eyepiece block F7201 to the market.(Photo 35). This scope has a variable magnification of 2.5X -10X (corresponds to a field of view angle of 6.8° — 2°) with a focal length of 131 mm and F/2.4 (at 2.5X). The exit pupil diameter of the eyepiece is 5 mm with a removal of 76 mm!
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This is where we should stop. The description of other models and their modifications will only serve as further evidence of the compliance and even superiority (due to individual NVGs and monoculars) of the NVG fleet over the range of conventional «daytime» optical devices. Night warfare has become the basis of modern military tactics, and perhaps even strategy? This is confirmed by the concept of the «Soldier 2000» program, which is being actively developed in various countries around the world. The main provisions of this program include not only the mandatory presence of integrated individual night vision systems and, possibly, thermal imaging, but also the exchange of video information in real time with the control center and all participants in the tactical group. NVGs are actively purchased by national police forces and rescue services of many countries, as well as private security agencies.
In conclusion of the review of the modern NVG fleet, it is necessary to note some recent changes concerning the production of electron-optical converters. Since the end of 1999 ITTannounced the development of two identical image intensifier tubes – a new IV generation with a micro-channel plate (MCP) without an ion-barrier film («filmless» microchannel plate technology) and an improved III generation with a thin-film MCP (filmed–MCP technology) with a photocathode diameter reduced to 16 mm, excellent maximum resolution – at least 64 lines/mm. The new products are also distinguished by a 50% improved signal-to-noise ratio, which is similar to the corresponding increase in photocathode sensitivity. The appearance of a planar modular image intensifier tube (without a built-in VPS) and an image inversion image intensifier tube and VPS in comparison with a standard III image intensifier tube is shown in photo 36. It is expected that the new image intensifier tubes will reduce the weight and size parameters of NVDs by 20-50% while maintaining other characteristics. Litton is also actively working in this direction.Unfortunately, work on creating a high-resolution low-noise IV image intensifier tube with the replacement of traditional MCP with a «semiconductor shoot-through dynode» is only just beginning in the Russian Federation. Domestic fiber-optic components are unlikely to achieve a resolution of more than 40 lines/mm. Programs to improve the MCP or develop an alternative dynode technology will require five years and significant funding, and the development of new NVG designs will take another two years. The situation will be complicated by the lack of mechanisms for financing key technological chains and their subsequent development into mass production of the required components. Thus, the expected reduction in prices for III-generation image intensifier tubes, taking into account their quality and production volume in the United States, opens up very sad prospects for domestic manufacturers of night vision equipment. A possible way out of the current situation may be the parallel development of IV-generation image intensifier tube technology and promising NVG designs. However, the new EOP IV is a topic for a separate conversation.
References.
- Goodman G. Modern night vision goggles used in the US Army.//Translation of an article in the Armed Force Journal International, July 1998, pp. 42 — 45.
- Advertisements from companies: ITT Night Vision, USA; Litton, USA; Delft Sensor Systems, Belgium; Tompson-GSF, France; EEV Optosis and GEC-Marconi, England; ELOPTRO, South Africa; SAMSUNG, South Korea; TRANSVARO, Turkey; SIMRAD Optronic Ltd., Norway; Angenue, France; SFIM industries, France; Henry Technical Services, Inc, USA; KENTRON (a division of DENEL Ltd.), South Africa; Elbit, Israel; Pilkington, England