4 - monmouth message march 13, 1975

Night. vision turn:ing on the. light

FT. BELVOIR, Va.-8eeing in the dark is a lot easier today than it was a few years ago. The Night Vision Laboratory (NVL) has been steadily chiseling away the problem since the early 194Os.

Joining ECOM in 1964, NVL has developed a number of new and unique night vision aids such as the Starlight Scope, Night Vision Goggles· and thermal imaging devices for combat vehicles, army aircraft and missle systems.

NVL's primary mission is to develop equipment which will enable the soldier to work and fight at night with effectiveness equal to his present ' daylight capabilities.

The 450 nulitary and civilian employees of NVL are divided into five Technical Areas. The Far Infrared, Image Intensification and Visionics Technical Areas carry out basic and applied research, directed towards the ens! product which is fabricated by the Systems Development Technical Area. /

The Support - and Evaluation Technical Area determines the field worthiness of each new gevice and supports field studies carried out by other areas ..

NVL facilities consist of. four buildings on Ft. Belvoir, with a fifth 100,000 square feet leased facility in nearby Alexandria, Virginia: Most field stUdies are conducted on Fort AP. Hill, Va., located 40 miles South of Fort Belvoir.

The Night Vision Laboratory is a unique facility within the DoD. It is the only Lab totally dedicated to solving nigh~ operations problems. For example, part of the Visionics Technical Area evaluates the newer, more complex thermal imag!ng devices for the Anny as well as the Air Force and Navy.

Visionics scientists also build math models of ' proposed night vision devices in order to evaluate the performance and cost effectiveness of the proposed systems before they are actually fabrictated.

NVL's Image Intensification Technical Area (UTA) researches newer and more effective means of im­proving image intensifiers such as the Starlight Scope. The 1st Generation image intensifiers-those used in Vietnam- will soon be replaced with much lighter 2nd Generation systems. 'lIT A is also working on a 3rd Generation technology which will greatly increase the .range of current equipment. _

The far Irifrared'Technical Area (FIRTA) develops new infrared detectors, miniature detector-coolers, charge coupled signal processors, pyroelectric vidicons and solid state imagers. Such work ~volves not only improving the current technology but developing new approaches to thermal imaging. Far infrared devices have the ability to work in complete darkneSs, see through smoke as well as camouflage and light foliage.

The Far Infrared Technical Area also has the capacity to fabricate its basic,sensor technology with in-house personnel. '

Systems Development Technical Area (SDTA), NVL's largest Division, is responsible for building prototype systems, preparing specifications and guiding contractors through the end-item develop­ment. This guidance extends throughout the system lifecycle. '

, The Night Vision Laboratory is designated as the MAC Lead Laboratory for night-vision technology. In this role, NVL maintains a continuing analysis of state-

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of-the-art in electronics, optics, visionics and other night-vision related scientific disciplines.

The NVL scientist is held in high regard by industry a~ well as other government agencies. For example, smce 1967, NVL personnel have made 389 presen­tations, published nea ly 200 papers in Professional journals and have been credited with 135 invention disclosures.

Applications of night vision devices continue to "spinoff" to the benefit of the non DoD commUnity. At present, ten US Universities are using Starlight Scopes to study the nocturnal behavior of a number of animals ranging from hardshell crabs to the American Eagle.

The newer thermal imaging devices are already in demand by universities and other research facilities. Non-government scientists are suggesting the use of the.rmal imagers for applications ranging from con­ducting animal population counts to detection of feverous livestock.

The law enforcement community has found many applications for . night vision devices. In the Florida Everglades National Park, the Ranger used the Handheld Thermal Viewer to catch alligator poachers.

The Handhffld Thermal Viewer was purchased from the NVL contractor by the US Bureau of Mines and is currently being utilized by this government agency to detect potentially hazardous loose rock in mineral mine walls.

The Night Vision Laboratory can .take great pride in having met the needs of the US Army in Vietnam with new, innovative night vision devices. Not resting on their laurels; NVL is pushing ahead to field new families of night vision equipment which will meet the user demands at a price he can afford.

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NIGHT VISION LAB FACILITIES : I

• HEADQUARTERS AND · IMAGE INTENSIFICATION

-. VISIONICS~""'~"""""'" • 'FAR INFJlARED ·.fA8.I"mARED RESEARCH

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