How prominent is Night Vision in other nations?

[Telnyashka]

Im just wondering, I know USA has Night Vision standard to most extent. However what other nations have Night Vision standard for their infantry?

[DnA]

Same for Canada, we got a lot of different NVGs, Scopes, etc an the PEQ2s an PAQ4s.

Infantry get's them, an everyone else who need's them, etc

[tehllama]

China will have plenty, guaranteed. Cheap, crappy, unreliable, but very sophisticated knockoffs of the US stuff most likely.

NOD won't be totally standard for GI for another decade, but any mobile, fast attack, strike, or rapiddeployment force that doesn't already have them won't be without them long, anywhere.

[Bulabash]

Belgium, para comando Infantry, PEQ4, Irbis for auto weapons, Thermal camera Sophie, Milan with MIRA, Lunos passive (Old) with 8* magnification.

[Bulabash]

oops forgot pilkington Kite for AW (CWS for UK ppl)

[Tracker 23A]

Well you asked. This is what Canada has used and is using for night operations:

NSN 8455-20-001-0815 Insignia, S/S IFF Patches, IR National Flag, Grn/Blk, (2" x 1"), Hook & Loop.

NSN 8455-20-001-0820 Insignia, S/S IR Reflective Markers, (1x 1"), Paper, Peel & Stick.

Monocular Night Vision Goggle:
AN/PVS-14 (MNVG)
Canada has taken delivery of over 1000 complete with ancillary and support equipment, spare parts. Note the total buy is for 5,000.

Night Vision Goggle:
AN/PVS-504A Gen 3 NVGs.
Every dismounted soldier will have a set of NVGs. NSN 5855-21-912-3073
Description: GOGGLES Night Vision AN/PVS 504A and
NSN 5855-21-912-0692
Description: VIEWING SET, INFRARED

AN/PVS-504 Gen-2 For training only. Do not deploy with the Gen 2 PVS-504! They will be upgraded in the near future to PVS-504A Gen-3

NVG Mounts:
NVGs Helmet Mount Kit:
This kit will allow the current issued NVGs AN/PVS-504/504A to mount on the Canadian helmet. The kit includes a modified US helmet mount, new US soft mount and the part to replace the current PVS -504 mounting system. NSN 5855-20-000-2131
Description: Harness Assembly, Night Vision Goggles

Commanders LASER AIMING DEVICE: (CLAD)
Commander's LADs AN/PEQ-2A

Soldiers LASER AIMING DEVICE: (SLAD)
PAQ-4C same laser as the PAQ-4B except the laser is a steady beam. Should come with a better mount.
NSN: 5855-01398-4315

PAQ-4B: The first LAD in service with the Army. Laser flashes otherwise the same as PAQ-4C. The mount that comes with the PAQ-4B is poor so use gun tape to help secure it.
NSN: 5855-01-361-1362

LASER AIMING DEVICE KITS:
Pl and Sect Comd Kit:
The kit includes a PEQ-2A (model 7500) which has an Visible aiming laser and an IR flood laser, Surefire Flashlight and the Tri-rail mount. Will mount on C-7, M-203, & C-8. NSN 5855-21-000-3413
Description: Target Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Laser 2A & Tactical Light Field Kit.

Soldier kit:
The kit includes a PAQ-4C, Surefire weapon light and the Tri-rail mount. Will mount on C-7, M-203 & C-8. NSN 5855-21-000-3414
Description: Illuminator/Aiming Laser 4C & Tactical Light Field Kit.

C-9 LAD MOUNT is in the works and is being produced.

HIGH POWER IR LASERS:
Canada has mounted the PEQ-4 on the Coyote.

INDIVIDUAL WEAPON SIGHT: (IWS)
One IWS per Infantry section, one Maxi Kite per dismounted C-6.

KITE SIGHT 4 power Pam
Night Vision Set, AN/PVS-505,
NSN 5855-99-513-3322

MAXI-KITE SIGHT 6 power mounts to C-6
Night Vision Set Crew Served
AN/TVS-505,
NSN 5855-99-917-1082
C-6 weapon mount
NSN

COLLIMATORS:
One C-7 and C-9 collimator per platoon.

C-7 (C-79 sight)
NSN

C-7 & PAQ-4B/C Collimator
NSN 1240-99-581-0655

C-9 Collimator
NSN 1240-99-872-8090

THERMAL OBSERVATION:
SOPHIE Binoculars / Thermal imager Only 13 in the system. Roughly the same performance as the NODLR before the mid-life upgrade. Note uses the same batteries as the Mirabel Eryx thermal sight. Battery last about 4 hrs, can also run on AC power.
NSN.5855-21-000-4949

CDN NODLR Very heavy / bulky and noisy. Not suitable for dismounted operations. 4 Lithium batteries last about 6 hrs. Also has rechargeable batteries. Use the TCCCS battery charger. NODLR will be upgraded summer of 2003 which should double its performance as well as make it silent. Requires laser range finder. Vector binos will not mount on it.

THERMAL WEAPON SIGHT: (TWS)
AN/PAS-13 TWS
The PAS-13 TWS. Canada has about 50 Heavy and Medium TWS

FM-23-65 BROWNING MACHINE GUN CALIBER .50 HB, M2
APP -G Night Optics (lessons on TWS)

Mirabel Eryx thermal sight. One for ever Eryx firing post.

PERSONAL IR STROBES: (1 PER SOLDIER)
IR-14 - Phoenix Infrared Beacon
NSN 5855-01-438-4588
POC in Canada R Nichols.

Australian IR Marker. The IR Marker can be set to emit continuously or at three flash rates. Canada employed them for the troops in Afghanistan.

HIGH POWER IR STROBE:
One high power strobe per platoon.
Australian Black Blitz
A small number have been purchased and are in the depot.

TacAIR beacon NVEC
NSN 5855-01-460-9151

IR REFLEXIVE TAPE:
Min 3 x 1 inch by 1 inch piece per soldier
NSN 8455-20-001-0815 Insignia, S/S IFF Patches, IR National Flag, Grn/Blk, (2" x 1"), Hook & Loop. These are the near-IR reflective version of the shoulder flag complete with a Velcro attachment.

NSN 8455-20-001-0820 Insignia, S/S IR Reflective Markers, (1x 1"), Paper, Peel & Stick.

THERMAL PANEL MARKERS / THERMAL TAPE:
Canada has purchased 800 Thermal Panel Markers Type A from Battlefield Reference Marking System.

Canada employs the Thermal Panel Markers ( 500 TIP-5, 500 TIP-6) made by NVEC and 2000 rolls of Thermal Tape (Tan and Green).

for more information on Canada's use of night vision equipment, visit this site:
http://nightoperations.com

we recently just purchased a bunch of the VIP IR strobes for individual use.

I use a AN/PVS-14 MNVG, AN/PEQ-2A CLAD, two IR-14 strobes, and my VIP IR strobe. As well I have numerous IR patches on my uniform and kit, remembering the enemy may be able to see you too and these need to be used carefully.

http://img358.imageshack.us/img358/1189/beacons6fv.th.jpg (http://img358.imageshack.us/my.php?image=beacons6fv.jpg)

http://img358.imageshack.us/img358/6348/irvip018gv.th.jpg (http://img358.imageshack.us/my.php?image=irvip018gv.jpg)

[ClydeFrog]

With the IdZ-program, Germany is finally catching up to the other nations in night-vision equipment. Night-vision goggles (named LUCIE) are becoming standard for every soldier and two night-vision optics (of different quality and magnification: TWS AN/PAS 13 up to 10x-magnification and the older and lighter NSA80) for the guns are also being adopted.

[Telnyashka]

anyone have info on Russian Night Vision?

[AN_TPS_63A]

anyone have info on Russian Night Vision?


You can see lot of them on ebay

[signatory]

Sweden.. pretty common as personal gear and in vehicles. most personal mtrl of larger inventory is SIMRAD.. there's smaller batches of various NV gear, at least two versions of mono-goggles... the Home Guard sometimes have access to NVG when they help police look for lost people in the woods.


Also have night vision detection system.
http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/3743/nvfind9yl.jpg
(photo shows a man using NVG during night, a laser system detects the optics easily)

[YankeeDeVallecas]

Sweden.. pretty common as personal gear and in vehicles. most personal mtrl of larger inventory is SIMRAD.. there's smaller batches of various NV gear, at least two versions of mono-goggles... the Home Guard sometimes have access to NVG when they help police look for lost people in the woods.


Also have night vision detection system.
http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/3743/nvfind9yl.jpg
(photo shows a man using NVG during night, a laser system detects the optics easily)


Not sure I understand. NVGs don't emit anything, how can they be detected? Do you mean IR light detection?

[JoaMei]

Not sure I understand. NVGs don't emit anything, how can they be detected? Do you mean IR light detection?

Very old systems use IR illumination, but thats ww2 Technology.

[Telnyashka]

You can see lot of them on ebay

No I don't mean Russian company night vision, I mean what is the standard Night Vision used by the Russian Federation armed forces?

[Jippo]

Not sure I understand. NVGs don't emit anything, how can they be detected? Do you mean IR light detection?

Quote: (photo shows a man using NVG during night, a laser system detects the optics easily)


The search system is active.


-jippo

[Tracker 23A]

Many modern systems use IR for detecting friendly forces (IFF). Every soldier in a modern battlefield, or theatre of operations has an IR strobe that is used for that one reason alone. At least that is the way it is in North America.

We use IR strobes for that main reason.

You cannot detect an image intesification (II) tube that is used at night, which night vision goggles are, but you can detect IR with another IR capable source.

Reference the "WW2" technology at work in 2006:

ACR MS-2000(M) IR strobe:
http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/491/560564545ak.th.jpg (http://img355.imageshack.us/my.php?image=560564545ak.jpg)

VIP IR strobe:
http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/198/430693209jqpcomph0mf8ym.th.jpg (http://img355.imageshack.us/my.php?image=430693209jqpcomph0mf8ym.jpg)

http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/7764/abo10cd.th.jpg (http://img355.imageshack.us/my.php?image=abo10cd.jpg)

http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/9705/irvip015qz.th.jpg (http://img355.imageshack.us/my.php?image=irvip015qz.jpg)

VIP IR strobe and ACR MS-2000(M) IR strobes:
http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/701/mchugh16hs.th.jpg (http://img519.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mchugh16hs.jpg)

[Jippo]

You cannot detect an image intesification (II) tube that is used at night, which night vision goggles are, but you can detect IR with another IR capable source.


Wrong, you can detect lens systems with laser. There are systems for detecting completely passive normal rifle scopes for instance. (anti sniper systems) NVG's have lenses in all cases so they should be seen with similar systems.


-jippo

[signatory]

Not sure I understand. NVGs don't emit anything, how can they be detected? Do you mean IR light detection?

They have optics in them. Retroreflex.
The laser coupled with a mirror system scans the area and catches anything that breaks the beam in that wavelenght spectrum. It's a system for all optics, even unpowered binoculars.

[Tracker 23A]

Wrong, you can detect lens systems with laser. There are systems for detecting completely passive normal rifle scopes for instance. (anti sniper systems) NVG's have lenses in all cases so they should be seen with similar systems.


-jippo

Understood, I should have been more detailed with my thoughts and answer.

Using night vision and IR in CQB with FF and aerial support is very important, perhaps more than open battle scenarios, where C&C are in effect the link between fratricide and the effective concentration of fire power onto an enemy.

Nonetheless, IR is here for a while yet.

Employing the IR strobe in combat operations and the use of infrared aiming devices on personal weapons and armoured vehicles:
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/3574/nightlaserstrobe1xy.th.gif (http://img208.imageshack.us/my.php?image=nightlaserstrobe1xy.gif)

http://img451.imageshack.us/img451/4258/coyoteiilasernight1ji.th.jpg (http://img451.imageshack.us/my.php?image=coyoteiilasernight1ji.jpg)

http://img451.imageshack.us/img451/2519/iinightcoyotelaser3bo.th.gif (http://img451.imageshack.us/my.php?image=iinightcoyotelaser3bo.gif)

http://img451.imageshack.us/img451/6581/iimaxivectortripod4es.th.jpg (http://img451.imageshack.us/my.php?image=iimaxivectortripod4es.jpg)

http://img451.imageshack.us/img451/8529/iic6504s1ap.th.jpg (http://img451.imageshack.us/my.php?image=iic6504s1ap.jpg)

Video of a "Vandoo", R22erR patrol in Afghanistan: Note, those are IR glow sticks.
http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca/netpub/server.np?find&catalog=videos&template=detail_e.np&field=itemid&op=matches&value=377&site=combatcamera

[Jippo]

Tracker 23A, could you explain bit more the ideology behind the IR strobes to me. I have seen these things used only by allied forces in Iraq 2, and I have wondered the philosophy of them for a long time now.

They are used for IFF and maybe for beacons for aircraft etc?

That sounds reasonable to me, but isn't there an issue with compromising unit camouflage as the strobes can be seen by anyone with NVG for miles. Is their use only limited to low intensity assymmetric conflicts like Iraq, or are they used independant on the operational situation? For me concealment has always be #1 priority.

Cheers!


-jippo

[MakeWar87]

yeah im sure quit a bit of countries have it but but good equipment will always prevail the other thing in the u.s we train a lot with our night vision so we are fully proficient in it and can operate without hassle so thats a big advatange as opposed to yeah we have and but we only use it when we need it

[Tracker 23A]

Tracker 23A, could you explain bit more the ideology behind the IR strobes to me. I have seen these things used only by allied forces in Iraq 2, and I have wondered the philosophy of them for a long time now.

They are used for IFF and maybe for beacons for aircraft etc?

That sounds reasonable to me, but isn't there an issue with compromising unit camouflage as the strobes can be seen by anyone with NVG for miles. Is their use only limited to low intensity assymmetric conflicts like Iraq, or are they used independant on the operational situation? For me concealment has always be #1 priority.

Cheers!


-jippo

The Phoenix IR beacon is a longer-range device that should be used in addition to glow tape. The IR beacon - when activated - emits a strobe, which can only be detected by NVD’s. The programmable nature of this device means it lends itself to marking different friendly locations during the conduct of patrols, link up operations, and other night operations. It can be also be used to mark vehicles, routes, attack positions, rolling replenishments, and landing zones.

An obvious criticism of this system is that NVD equipped enemy forces would also see our forces during IR illumination. This is true; however, illumination by comds would take place only seconds before engagement as a final confirmation of identity. Thus, the safeguard against fratricide far outweighs the risk of detection.

Soldiers and comds must have a means to establish positive combat identification at night in order to prevent fratricide; "Warrior Glotape" is a very inexpensive solution. To the naked eye, it appears as black duct tape in both finish and texture. When illuminated by normal visible light it exhibits no special reflective characteristics. However, when illuminated by an IR source (for example, GCP’s, PAQ-4C’s, or LAV-3 IR spotlights) the tape glows brightly. "Warrior Glotape" could be placed on the back of a soldier’s helmet and on the forestock of his weapon.

Whichever you choose, "Warrior Glotape" or IR Tape is one of my favourites.
Every soldier should have IR tape on the back of his helmet and arm.

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/5693/glotape3xb.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/2892/armband8av.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The ABCA Quadripartite Advisory Publication, No 192, Ed 1 remarked that combat identification errors are one of seven primary causes for fratricide and concluded IR Tape and or IR strobes would significantly reduce this figure.

Using IR strobes to identify the flanks of assaulting elements is also a good use.

In this capacity IR sources has advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is that an enemyu without night vision devices will have a lot of trouble identifying the friendly locations and actions. The disadvantage is that friendly forces can get confused trying to navigate through an objective that is marked all in the same colour and contains several blinking IR lights. Supporting aircraft also can have a hard time identifying the source of a laser (which end to neutralize, as opposed which end the IFF is on!)

I personally use two IR-14 beacons and a VIPIR strobe. That doesn't mean that these devices are left "running" while I am doing night tasks. They only get turned on when safe and when need be. Aside from the IR strobes, we also use IR tabs.

[Resurrection]

yeah im sure quit a bit of countries have it but but good equipment will always prevail the other thing in the u.s we train a lot with our night vision so we are fully proficient in it and can operate without hassle so thats a big advatange as opposed to yeah we have and but we only use it when we need it

What... the... f*ck? What message are you trying to get across? Are you trying to say that other militaries don't train as often with NVGs? Of course you only use it when you need it, i.e. night time, when using a flashlight isn't the best option.

[moughoun]

What... the... f*ck? What message are you trying to get across? Are you trying to say that other militaries don't train as often with NVGs? Of course you only use it when you need it, i.e. night time, when using a flashlight isn't the best option.
x2, we don't go around like that guy in the movie 3 King's wearing NVG during the Dayp-)

[MakeWar87]

What... the... f*ck? What message are you trying to get across? Are you trying to say that other militaries don't train as often with NVGs? Of course you only use it when you need it, i.e. night time, when using a flashlight isn't the best option.

no im just saying we train extensively in the night with nvg so it cant hold us back we can operate just as well. I cant vouch for any country just trying to show how much we train in

[baboon6]

yeah im sure quit a bit of countries have it but but good equipment will always prevail the other thing in the u.s we train a lot with our night vision so we are fully proficient in it and can operate without hassle so thats a big advatange as opposed to yeah we have and but we only use it when we need it

As opposed to training in spelling, punctuation and grammar.

[Laworkerbee]

They have optics in them. Retroreflex.
The laser coupled with a mirror system scans the area and catches anything that breaks the beam in that wavelenght spectrum. It's a system for all optics, even unpowered binoculars.

Thanks never knew that Sig

[MakeWar87]

As opposed to training in spelling, punctuation and grammar.
wow great comment dude

[Jippo]

Thanks Tracker, makes sense.

-jippo

[flex]

China will have plenty, guaranteed. Cheap, crappy, unreliable, but very sophisticated knockoffs of the US stuff most likely.

NOD won't be totally standard for GI for another decade, but any mobile, fast attack, strike, or rapiddeployment force that doesn't already have them won't be without them long, anywhere.
China does not use US ripoffs, they have been given access to Russia technology first. A typical Chinese goggle nowadays is an European SuperGen (something between Gen2+ and Gen3 OMNI III) tube mounted in local or Russia housing.
Helicopter crews use copies of Russian LZOS OVN-1, as well as AN/AVS-9 smuggled via Taiwan

Fujian Forecam Optics TK-1 goggles - these are Russian Kombat ONV-3 goggles (also largely introduced on Western law enforcement market, license produced by Newcon Canada and NVS-7 or Unitec PBG720)
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/flex297/Night%20Vision%20Gear/FujianForecamOpticsTK-1Gen2.jpg
The most prominent local produced NVG gear is CLNV-WYJ, alos known as Hioptic WT212

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/flex297/Night%20Vision%20Gear/CLNV-WYJ.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/flex297/Night%20Vision%20Gear/WGT46-1gogglesChina.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/flex297/Night%20Vision%20Gear/WT212-1ChineseNVG.jpg

[flex]

Im just wondering, I know USA has Night Vision standard to most extent. However what other nations have Night Vision standard for their infantry?
Practically all. It is naieve to think that all others have completely omitted this technology. There are virtually dozens of types equipped with another dozen of MCPs and all of those have been exported heavily to various countries... Here are some of them (showing just equivalents to US AN/PVS-7)

Swiss Vectronix BIG25
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/flex297/Night%20Vision%20Gear/BIG25NightVisionGoggles.jpg

Belgium OIP LUNOS Mk2
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/flex297/Night%20Vision%20Gear/ThalesLUNOS_2.jpg

THALES LUCIE
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/flex297/Night%20Vision%20Gear/LUCIE-NVT.jpg

French SOPELEM TN2
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/flex297/Night%20Vision%20Gear/SopelemTN2-1.jpg

Norwegian SIMRAD GN2
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/flex297/Night%20Vision%20Gear/GN-2SIMRAD.jpg

French SAGEM-DS CLARA / Czech Meopta KLARA
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/flex297/Night%20Vision%20Gear/SagemDSClara.jpg

British Pilkington NOVA
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/flex297/Night%20Vision%20Gear/PilkingtonNovaGen2goggles.jpg

Polish BUMAR PCO NPL-1
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/flex297/Night%20Vision%20Gear/PCONPL-1Mhelmet.jpg

Bulgarian OPTIX Diana
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/flex297/Night%20Vision%20Gear/OPTIXDiana14.jpg

Dutch Delft PC1MC
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/flex297/Night%20Vision%20Gear/DelftCyclopPC1MC.jpg

Russian Novosibirsk ONV-2/3, also produced in Canada as Newcon NVS-7 and in China as Fujian TK-1
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/flex297/Night%20Vision%20Gear/NexconNVS-7-2HD_01.jpg

Russian LOMO Recon-2
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/flex297/Night%20Vision%20Gear/NVG-8Gen235lp.jpg

Russian Kombat NB-8/NB-11 (former Orion-8 Kolibri)
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/flex297/Night%20Vision%20Gear/KombatNB-8EliteGen2.jpg

Belrussian DIPOL D206H
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/flex297/Night%20Vision%20Gear/DipolD206HGen2.jpg

Belrussian DIPOL D203M
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/flex297/Night%20Vision%20Gear/EagleEyeNVG203MGen2.jpg

Legendary Russian DEDAL DVS-8 (produced in Australia as PNGL)
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/flex297/Night%20Vision%20Gear/PNGLgoggles1.jpg

Indian BHARAT BENG-9402 (Israel produces this goggle as Ortek 9402)
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/flex297/Night%20Vision%20Gear/IndianArmyNVG.jpg

Belrussian BELOMO NV/G14
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/flex297/Night%20Vision%20Gear/BelomoNVG-14Gen3.jpg

Russian NELK Alpha 1032 (also Belrussian BELOMO NV/G10)
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/flex297/Night%20Vision%20Gear/BelomoNVG-10Gen2.jpg

[flex]

Turkish Military produces and uses both US and Russian goggles - this is Russian KOMZ Baigish B27
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/flex297/Night%20Vision%20Gear/Baigish27TurkishArmy.jpg

.. and this is ASELSAN M977 (licensed AN/PVS-7A)
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/flex297/Night%20Vision%20Gear/ASELSANM977.jpg

Russian KOMZ Baigish B25
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/flex297/Night%20Vision%20Gear/KOMZBaigish25B.jpg

American ATN NVG7 (license produced Russian Novosibirsk PN-14K)
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/flex297/Night%20Vision%20Gear/pn14knight_vision_goggles_1.jpg

Canadian AN/PVS-504
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/flex297/Night%20Vision%20Gear/CanadianC2AN-PVS-504Gen3.jpg

Iranian IEI Shabanoor-1001 (licensed PVS-7B)
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/flex297/Night%20Vision%20Gear/PVS-73xlens.jpg

Swedish SPAN-4
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/flex297/Night%20Vision%20Gear/SPAN-4gogglesSweden.jpg