Summary
Includes related articles on image intensifiers
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Infantry night vision systems.
Infantry Night Vision Systems
The ability to operate and fight effectively at night has long been a requirement for special forces. Over recent years, it has become increasingly important for regular infantry units as well, in both the defensive and the offensive roles, faced with anticipated round-the-clock operations by potential enemies. Quite apart from Soviet/Warsaw Pact night-fighting doctrine and capabilities, night vision equipment is now freely available on the market to any potential enemy prepared to pay for it. In the Falklands war, for example, the British were shocked to find the Argentinians in possession of commercially available night vision systems far more capable than their own limited-issue kit. Today's new emphasis on Low Intensity Conflicts, Internal Security, Counter-Insurgency, and Counter--Terrorism is going to further increase the requirement. What does the requirement cover? As far as the infantry are concerned, it calls essentially for night vision systems for static surveillance, mobile observation, and weapon aiming/firecontrol. The latter includes not only hand-held, but also crew-served weapons such as machine-guns, antitank missiles and infantry SAMs. Technology Night vision equipment has come a long way since the first infrared (IR) systems were fielded in the 1960s. These were active systems, in which the target area had to be illuminated by a powerful IR projector. The target area was then viewed through a sight operating on approximately the same wavelength. These systems were bulky, limited in range and resolution, and easily detectable by the enemy if he too possessed IR sights. Passive night vision entered the field in the late 1960s, with the introduction of Starlight Scopes. As their name implied, these relied on the natural light from the stars, moon, etc., that is present on all but the darkest nights. The reflection of this ambient light off ob...See the full content of this document
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