night vision technology.

1. Development through Military History into Modern Daily Use.
By: Vikas Kumar Sinha

3.  Night vision technology has shaped history.
 Pre 1940’s: Flares and spot lights were used
for operations at night.

4.  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.

5. A tank from
World War II
equipped with a
search light used
for night combat.

6.  The first night vision devices (NVD) were
created during WWII.
 Functioned by placing an infrared filter
over a searchlight.
 Fighters would use special binoculars to see
using the light from the searchlights.
 Many problems came from this night vision
method.

7. Why do NVD
devices always
show images
in hues of
green?
The original designers of NVD
d an obsession with the color.
B)The actual first inventors of
NVD were little green aliens.
C) NVD use green because it
allows for more defined
images.

8. C
The screen was purposefully colored
green due to the scientific fact that the
human eye can differentiate more
shades of green that any other color.

9.  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 Nazi’s had this
technology, so they each could see the
others light.

10.  The images created were streaky and
distorted.
 The acceleration of electrons cut the life of
the image intensification tube, which was
the most important and expensive part of
the NVD, very short.
 Military scientists began planning a revised
design.

11.  Post WWII NVD technology focused on the
ability to see without creating additional
light.
 During this time period the first
“Generation” of NVD began using
intensified natural lighting.

12.  Military scientists created a two-stage
cascade image tube.
 This tube intensified the natural lighting
and created a superior image for the
viewer.
 The power of Generation 1 NVD was put to
the test in the Vietnam War.

13. Generation 1
NVD were
commonly
called what
during their
use in the
Vietnam War?
A) Star-Tron Scopes
B) Moon Beams
C) Space Goggles

14.  A
 Star-Tron Scopes was the common name
given to the NVD in Vietnam.
 There were still many problems military
scientists wanted to work on.

15.  Star Tron Scopes intensification tubes were
as heavy as the rifles they were mounted
on.
 They were not sensitive enough to give
clear images 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.

16.  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.

17.  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
in 1973 scientists created a common
module that made it less expensive, and
more ideal for military use.

18.  The generation 2 NVD were first put to the
test by US forces in the early 1990’s during
Operation Desert Storm in Kuwait.
 The dark nights and harsh dusty conditions
were perfect for implementing the new
technology.

19.  The currently generations of NVS are
generations 3 and 4.
 Generation 3 is much like generation 2
except for 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.

20.  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

21. Which of the 4
Generations of
NVD is the
current model
used by the
U.S. Military?
A)Generation 1
B) Generation 2
C) Generation 3
D) Generation 4

22. C) Generation 3
U.S. forces use generation 3
because despite its slightly less
clear image, and slightly more
noisy design compared to
generation 4, it has a longer
life in hours which is more
important when all things are
considered.

23.  Development of NVD up until the 1980’s
was completely focused around military
purposes.
 In the 80’s, companies in the US and Europe
took NVT and found ways to improve
everyday civilian life.

24.  There are many practical everyday uses for
NVD, some of which are:
 Law Enforcement
 Hunting
 Surveillance

25.  Security
 Navigation
 Hidden-Object detection
 Entertainment

26. Common applications for night vision include:
 · Military
 · Hunting
 · Wildlife observation
 · Surveillance

27.  · Hidden-object detection
 · Entertainment
 · Security
 · Navigation

28.  In conclusion I believe that is wonderful
how something originally designed for
destruction, can now help people on an
every-day basis.
 Personally, NVD have saved my brother-in-
law from harm in his job through NVD
navigation technology.
 This is truly amazing technology.

29.  Unknown author, “Night Vision Devices”.
BookRags. 11/12/2008
<http://bookrags.com>
 Unknown author, “Night Vision Goggles”.
GlobalSecurity. 11/10/2008
<http://www.global securities.org>
 Unknown author, “How Night Vision Works”. How
Stuff Works. 11/11/2008
<http://electronics.howstuffworks.com>