Military Night Vision & Thermal Optics Explained….
Today’s traditional night vision devices, excluding digital night vision (DNV), consist of three generations commonly referred to as Gen (I), Gen(II) and Gen(III). A few companies offer “Gen 4 (IV)” products; however, no military branch currently recognizes Gen 4, including, most importantly, the U.S. Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate.
Generation 1
Originally available in the 1960s and used in Vietnam (AN/PVS-5), Gen 1 optics deliver the green-screen goods up to roughly 75 yds. away, perhaps even 100 on a clear, moonlit night. As the most affordable night vision currently available, display resolution takes a hit; it’s often grainy.
Generation 2
Original Gen 2 devices were smaller and much better-suited for both handheld and helmet-mounted use. Gen 2 devices incorporate improved, more compact tubes and better gain. Resolution was dramatically increased. Gen 2 detection range was also substantially increased; most Gen 2 optics are capable of reaching out to 200, even 250 yds.
Generation 3
Generation 3 is the real deal. Gen 3 Autogated is what the US Military and Special Forces use and it is currently the gold standard in technology. There are several grades/levels of Gen 3, however they are all outstanding.The most dramatic improvements over Gen 2 include an extended range, upwards of 400-plus yds and a rich, high-resolution image.
Digital Night Vision
Today, digital night vision optics with improved sensors-most often a charged coupling device (CCD)-are designed to deliver flawless performance day or night without the need for a special lens cover. Sure, digital night vision scopes are, in fact, night vision scopes through and through; however, they process differently … digitally speaking. Digital night vision incorporates an electric signal. Light particles enter the objective lens and are converted to an electric signal in a high-tech CCD sensor. The electric signal is sent to a display, often a liquid-crystal display (LCD) or active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED). Digital night vision displays are often black and white; although several color filters also are available.
Thermal Optics
As a differentiating premise, night vision gathers particles of light and manufactures what it can using infrared illumination. Thermal does not throw infrared illumination, rather, it gathers infrared radiation emitted from objects at differing temperatures and displays the image as variations from black (cold) to white (hot).
Thermal’s Origins
While night vision has been around for quite a while, thermal technology’s roots run even deeper-all the way back to 1800-when Sir William Herschel, the astronomer who discovered Uranus in 1781, was conducting brightness tests with tinted glass in relation to the sun. Testing the tinted-glass filters demonstrated varying heat transfers that ultimately, with the use of a thermometer and prism, revealed light beyond our visible spectrum that we term infrared radiation (IR). Sir William’s son, Sir John Herschel, also an astronomer, created the first thermal image in 1840 by exposing oil to a varying pattern of heat. He captured the image on paper and called it a thermograph.
In today’s world, while thermal imaging is perfect for hunting-including blood tracking, game recovery and walking in and out of your favorite hunting spots without spooking game animals-thermal is also often used by law enforcement for fugitive recovery, as well as surveillance.
Thermals are also used by: fire departments to detect hot spots, game wardens to observe, illegal hunting activity, border patrol agents and ranchers to detect illegal immigrants; boaters to locate overboard personnel and detect marine vessels running without lights; residents for personal defense; auditors for inspections; contractors, mechanics and homeowners for troubleshooting; and for many other applications-honestly, too many to list, but you get the idea.
For Night Vision and Thermal Optics Click the link below!!!
