Dear Editor,
Following up on your article entitled, “Night Vision for the Night Soldier”, ITT Corporation would like to put forth a few clarifications. First, the AN/PVS-7 operates with a Generation 3 image intensifier tube, not a Gen 2 one. In fact, ITT produces only Generation 3 image tubes – the most advanced image intensification technology.
Second, the AN/PVS-14 is being fielded in large numbers to the U.S. military
and may be considered more of ³the yardstick NVG today.² The exact numbers
are as follows:
– AN/PVS-7A/B/D (fielding 19862006: 215,226)
– AN/PVS-14 (fielding 1997- present, fielded: 158,675, to be fielded:
528,420)
The article noted that, ³Even given the enhancements of the Pinnacle tube, the US Army was still noting that deficiencies with in-service NVGs included poor highlight/bright source performance (i.e. a poor dynamic range); poor clarity in an obscured battlefield; and reduced imaging ability in inclement weather.² However, please note that ITT¹s Pinnacle® tube features gated, thin-filmed technology – the most superior Generation 3 image intensification technology available. This advancement in Gen 3 technology automatically adjusts gain from low-light to high-light areas.
Finally, image intensification and thermal each have advantages. Whereas thermal allows detection in situations with battlefield obscurants like smoke, image intensification allows imaging through glass and allows for identification. Combining both technologies for multispectral imaging allows improved performance across a broader array of scenarios.
Sincerely,
Allison Moore, ITT Night Vision