Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS) technology is a crucial part of military operations, as it allows personnel to have optimal situational awareness, execute critical tasks, and maintain operational efficiency in low-light conditions. NVIS compatibility is essential for personnel conducting covert operations using Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) as these devices enable forces to operate effectively while maintaining stealth. By capturing and amplifying ambient light in low-light environments, NVGs enable users to see in night-time and near-dark environments. Displays, optical systems, and lighting systems must be equipped with specialized NVIS technology to enable military teams to operate covertly in military ground, marine, and avionic settings. Defense systems use this technology in ground vehicles, as well as in fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.
MIL-STD-3009: The Gold Standard for NVIS Compatibility
Developed by the Department of Defense, MIL-STD-3009 establishes stringent performance requirements for aircraft lighting systems and electronic displays that are used with Night Vision Imaging Systems. The MIL-STD-3009 sets standards and measurement methods to assess the performance criteria of aircraft and display equipment using NVIS technology. For example, in order for MIL-STD-3009-certified displays to meet NVG compatibility requirements, they need to maintain specific luminance, image quality, and chromaticity and operate in demanding environments at wide viewing angles.
NVIS-Compatible Equipment
To ensure that optical and lighting systems have NVIS compatibility with other equipment, specialized coatings, filters, and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can be integrated into lighting panels, TFT-LCD’s and headlamps.
Having NVIS-compatible displays is critical for defense teams wearing NVGs as they can view information clearly in nighttime and near-dark conditions. Standard LCD and CRT monitors and aircraft cabin lighting systems are incompatible with Night Vision Goggles as these devices emit too much visible and infrared radiation. Non-NVIS-compatible displays overwhelm the goggles, and information on the screens is severely degraded or impossible to view. NVIS-compatible displays are often required for avionic cockpit displays, military vehicles, navel bridge displays, and mobile technology such as military handheld devices.
Key Features of NVIS Equipment
NVIS equipment, such as electronic displays, lighting, and imaging systems, operating in a military environment must be created to be durable and withstand extreme environments including blowing sand and dust and high humidity. In addition, to ensure functionality in high electromagnetic/radio frequency environments, EMI/RFI shielding of the components and NVIS system is necessary. Generally for NVG-EMI compatibility, transparent conductive coatings (such as Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) are applied to the display’s coverglass, user interface, or the clear aperture of imaging system lenses. Shielding effectiveness (generally measured in dB’s of attenuation from 100 MHz to 20 GHz) is typically achieved via low resistance coatings to transfer radiated emissions from the electronic device to a conductive ground plane. Because of contravening optical properties between high level shielding and high optical transmittance in the visible and NIR ranges, design considerations for transparent thin film optical coatings and conductive grids need to include the absorptive, reflective and electrical properties of the conductive materials. To support operation at high and low temperatures, NVIS equipment may also require transparent heating and IR blocking properties.
Cevians: A Leader in NVIS
A global leader in NVIS technology, Cevians developed the first filtering component for an NVIS lamp. Driving the entire industry benchmark, Cevians assisted the US Navy with the definition of MIL-L-8576, which defines specifications for military lighting, aircraft, interiors, and night vision systems.
A variety of NVIS products including NVG-EMI compatible systems are produced by Cevians, using thin-film coatings, optical constructions, LEDs, polymers, NVIS-compatible displays, and more. With our expertise in designing and manufacturing MIL-STD-3009- and MIL-STD-810-compliant products, Cevians offers a wide range of NVIS filters, LEDs, lamps, lighting and display systems to support the military. By advancing NVIS compatibility, Cevians ensures that military personnel have access to cutting-edge night vision solutions, enabling them to complete their missions with precision, safety, and tactical superiority.
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