The AN/PVS-5 is a dual-tube night-vision goggle used for aviation and ground support. It uses second-generation image-intensifier tubes. The United States Army still has PVS-5 on supply but are very rarely used. The AN/PVS-5 is based on the SU-50 which was a first-generation night-vision goggle adapted by the United States Air Force in 1971. From 1972 until 1990 the AN/PVS-5 was the mainstay in US Army night vision for aviation. The AN/PVS-5C was not approved for flight because of its high-light cut off feature causing the goggle to shut off in bright light. For ground troops the AN/PVS-5 was the sole night-vision goggle until the adaptation of the improved AN/PVS-7. Photographic evidence from Operation Eagle Claw shows US military personnel at Desert One in Iran using in the AN/PVS-5 NVGs.[citation needed]
| AN/PVS-5 | |
|---|---|
 AN/PVS-5A night vision google worn by US soldier in 1988. | |
| Type | Passive |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Category | Head/helmet mountable |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1972–present[1] |
| Used by | United States Armed Forces |
| Wars | Vietnam War Persian Gulf War War in Afghanistan Iraq War |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1971 |
| Manufacturer | ITT Industries Litton Industries |
| Variants | AN/PVS-5, AN/PVS-5A, AN/PVS-5B, AN/PVS-5C |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 850 grams |
| Dimensions (L×H×W) | 6.5" x 6.8" x 4.7" |
| Resolution (lp/mm) | >32 lp/mm |
| Mode of Operation | Passive |
| II tube | MX-9916 |
| Field of vision (°) | 40 degrees |
| Range of detection | 50m (Starlight) 150m (Moonlight) |
| System zoom | 1× |
| Generation | 2 |
By today's standards the PVS-5 was a safety risk for pilots, issues such as a limited field of view, poor light amplification, inability to read maps, and its excessive weight made it difficult to fly while operating them. In 1982 tests were being made for a suitable replacement for the AN/PVS-5 specifically for aviation, this led to the adaptation of the AN/AVS-6 ANVIS in 1989. The ANVIS was the first night-vision goggle used by the United States Army specifically designed for aviation.
The designation AN/PVS translates to Army/Navy Portable Visual Search, according to Joint Electronics Type Designation System guidelines.
References
edit- ^ McLean, William E.; Rash, Clarence E.; McEntire, Joseph; Braithwaite, Malcolm G.; Mora, John C. (May 1998). "A Performance History of AN/PVS-5 and ANVIS Image Intensification Systems in U.S. Army Aviation (Reprint)" (PDF). U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 October 2004. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
See Also
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