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NIGHT OPERATIONS OUT OF THE DARK: NIGHT VISION EQUIPMENT FOR THE INFANTRY By WO John Marshall and Lt Jeff Gill ts ed ce Forward Lt Gill and I originally wrote "OUT THE DARK" in Dec 1998 after ou experiences during an OPFOR rotation at NTC. The article was the after my tour in Kosovo (Jul -Dec 1999) and then published in Vol 3 Infantry Journal and also posted at the Infantry Association's web s Although the article is now almost 3 years old, I believe it's conten true today. John Marshall Sep 2001 The Reality The historically based and hard-earned reputation of Canadian infa being aggressive and effective night fighters is currently being put question through a reluctance by soldiers to fully employ currently night vision devices (NVD’s) coupled with an inadequate allotment required equipment. Unlike the past where boldness, stamina and could win the day or night, modern night operations require up-to-d equipment and procedures. Unfortunately, the equipment acquisitio Canadian Infantry Corps has not kept pace with the advances in m technology. The situation has evolved to a point where the dismou Canadian soldier with limited Gen-2 and NVDs no longer possesse capability to effectively fight at night; this shortfall is especially clea comparing our dismounted infantry’s ability to that our allies and po adversaries. More bluntly stated, we will not be able to see the enemy, so we w "Many of the world’s armies and militias possess some kind of fighting equipment, ranging from high-tech radars to sophistica night vision goggles. It is relatively easy to procure most of this equipment at reasonable rates on the world market." US Army Centre for Army Lessons Learned (CALL) "Own the N No. 96-3 Mar 96 able to kill him. More critically though, our current disadvantage wil that our soldiers will be unnecessarily put at risk by allowing them t in situations where they cannot. The Analysis It will be useful to address this problem by examining the three follo combat functions: manoeuvre, fire power and command. All three o are affected by the shortfalls that exist in our NVD stores. It is impo keep in mind, however, that more equipment alone is not the soluti our problems. The correct attitude of individual soldiers about the employment of NVD’s must also be guaranteed; it is unacceptable night vision goggles (NVG’s) dangling around soldiers’ necks inste being mounted to a head harness or helmet. The optimistic news is estimate shows an entire battalion could be outfitted with the ability the night" for less than two million dollars (roughly the price of one The Prescription 1. Manoeuvre In order for infantry sub-units to move and fight at night, every sold requires some type of NVD. These devices allow the soldier to eng targets at the maximum range of his personal weapon and manoeu across the battlefield with good situational awareness. The infantry needs to replace all of their current Gen-2 and older G NVD’s with the far superior Gen-3 Omni-5 models. The authors sug the minimum number required by dismounted infantry sections is o NVG’s per fire team. With these, the sect will be able to move at ni does in the day. However, as noted earlier, in order to take full adv the technology, leaders and soldiers must wear them at all times. W initial training will be difficult and resisted by some soldiers, the ben soon become clear to leaders. "As a result of the many incidents which occurred at night, it beca clear to me that the Army, and in particular the Infantry, needs to place more emphasis on training for night operations. This trainin must include night shooting, FIBUA, and counter- infiltration operations. As well, this training must acknowledge the fact that many of the world's belligerents now have access to STANO equipment approximating our own; OPERATIONAL LESSONS LEARNED: 1 PPCLI ON OP HARMO ROTO 4 COMMANDING OFFICER'S CONCLUDING REMARKS NVG’s should have the ability to be mounted to the helmet and flip same manner as an aviator’s or the US Army's PVS-7Ds. The LAV comd requires NVG’s in addition to the gunner’s thermal sight to en to operate with his head outside of the turret. This would increase h peripheral vision capabilities and assist him in maintaining situation awareness; both of these would be lost if he remained inside the tu focused on the thermal sight. During the A Coy 1 PPCLI deployment to NTC Roto 9901, a four standing patrol (with soldiers who had been trained to wear NVG’ while on-the-move) wearing NVG’s was able to out-manoeuvre a enemy recce det; the patrol also maintained contact with a dismounted enemy rifle coy - which was incidentally not wearing t NVGs - and remained undetected. Photo J Marshall Sentry wearing PVS-504A outside the wire in Kosovo. The PVS-504A Gen-3 NVGs are still sub-standard compared to G 3 Omni-5 NVGs. Wearing NVGs and a helmet is very uncomfortable. We need a helmet mount for the NVGs! Note: We could not mount our Kite sights or PAQ-4B on the C-9s gunner must observe his tracer to get on target. Helmet-mounted PVS-7D NVGs Gen-3 Omni-5 $4,400 US Photo: ITT Note: PVS-7Ds automatically on or off when flipped up or do NSN –5855-01-461-8169 Price: $3595. US A possible alternative to the AN/PVS-7D is the AN/PVS-14. This m flexibility is unsurpassed in that it can be used as a hand-held, helm mounted or weapon-mounted NVD. It is currently being issued to U battalions. Its great advantage is that in helmet-mounted mode it le eye unrestricted to allow for increased situational awareness. An added piece of available equipment to be considered for limited is the afocal magnifier lens that can be attached to PVS-7D Gen-3 NVGs or PVS-14. It would be useful for soldiers who require long-r observation capabilities (such as pl comds) who do not necessarily weapon sight. It is especially worthy of consideration because of its low procurement cost. With a PVS-7D (NVG) and one of these afocal lenses, the user ga NVD capability; he can move at night using the NVGs and then att afocal lens (to be used like conventional hand-held binoculars) upo reaching a fixed position. US sniper teams have found this combin indispensable. Such a pairing would also be useful for OP’s PVS-14 Gen-3 Omni-5 $4,400 US Hand-held monocular Single-eye head or helmet mounted goggle. Weapon mounted night sight. Ancillary equipment: Compass 3 x magnifier Photo: ITT Photo: ITT Photo: ITT PVS-14 with x3 Afocal magnifier lens Afocal Magnifier Lens Mounted on PVS-7D Note: The Afocal lens can be held in the front of the PVS-504 NV Photo: ITT NVEC Detection of a man on green grass PVS-7B Gen-3 PVS- 7D Gen-3 Omni- 5 PVS-7D Gen-3 Omni-5 3 power $739 US NSN 5855-01-461-2741 Quarter moon 417m 500m 1040m Starlight (10) 297m 380m 680m Cloud cover 163m 245m 510m Also mounts on PVS-14 Consider: A magnetic compass that clips on the front of your NVD’s. This would also reduce disorientation that may result from wearing NVG’s (PVS-7D or PVS- 14 - $110 US) Photo: NVEC View of compass though NVGs: 2. Firepower Seeing is not enough; soldiers must also be able to hit and kill a ta Canadian infantry units do not have the ability to effectively engage night without illumination. The only way to gain this capability is by NVG’s coupled with an IR pointing device (such as the PAQ-4C) o a weapon night sight such as the British-made Kite sight. PAQ-4C FEATURES photo: NVEC Eye safe 1000 m range Resists 1 m immersion in water Off-axis light security Highly accurate Numerous weapon moun options The PAQ-4C (called "Pack – 4" by US forces) is the latest and imp version of the PAQ-4B, and currently in use by Canadians deploye KFOR/SFOR. The AN/PAQ-4C is an infared weapon aiming light th the soldier to aim his weapon while still using NVG’s. The IR light t projected from this device is invisible to the naked eye; however, th can easily be seen when using image intensification devices. The l provides a rapid, accurate aiming point from which to engage targe night. With their longer ranges, the C-9 LMG and C-6 GPMG require a ni with a corresponding range capability. One option is to employ a n such as the Gen-3 Kite or Maxikite sight (which is also being emplo Canadian Forces in KFOR/SFOR). This will allow the C-9 and C-6 to engage targets out to 600m. With the Kite sight the sect would a greater depth in their ability to observe of the battlefield going beyo range of their NVGs. PAQ-4B / NVGs: On patrol in Kosovo Dec1999 NSN – 5855-01-398-4315 AA battery $850 US Kite Sight (British Gen-3) AN/PVS-505 NSN- 1240-21-906-8151 PRICE $8,500 CAN Used by Canadians in SFOR / KFOR 2 per sect Raptor (US Gen-3 Omni-5) M-644 X4 power NSN 5855-01-465-2168 PRICE $6,000 US Night patrol in Kosovo: Also mounted The Carbine Visible Laser PEQ-5 and The Modular Weapon System (MWS). Both on loan from DCIEM Photo: NVEC FIBUA and certain other operations require special considerations equipment. For a number of years special and police forces have e weapon-mounted white light devices in FIBUA-type operations. In allowing rapid target acquisition, white light has the advantage of b image intensification equipment. It can also temporarily dazzle and an enemy with unprotected eyesight – even in daylight or lighted ro SureFire lights In addition to optical NVD’s there are pyrotechnic IR illumination de These include Para flares, illumination rounds, pen flares, and trip the naked eye, these have the same brightness as a burning matc however, through NVD’s, they "light up the sky." The US Army emp and we should too. All of these equipment choices beg the question "what is the right m answer is not universal and depends on the operation at hand. How suggested that the scale of issue for the C-9 and C-6 should be Ge Kite/Maxikite sights. Riflemen should be equipped with NVGs and When it is desirable to mount the Kite sights on the C-7s for pinpoi accuracy, the C-9 gunners would utilize the NVG and PAQ-4C com (this is not necessarily a compromise for the latter since it would re All night sights must be collimated prior to use. In Kosovo, with on one collimator in the company, this was impossible. Manning the Sanger in Kosovo Photo J Marshall Maxi-kite (Gen-3) mounted on the C-6 A Coy 1PPCLI did not get all our NVDs in Kosovo until after we h been in theater for 6 weeks. We must train with kit we are expected to use on operations. " While the use of white light is a preferred technique for room clearing, when encountering large open areas (such as hangers, airport terminals, etc.) the use of the IR source on the goggle may the best option to illuminate the area while clearing" Ranger Company Night Live Fire Raid in the IR Spectrum. washout from muzzle flash). Thus, comds would allot night vision e based on the tasks for his sub-unit. It is clear that other forces simi and composition to our, reflect this same concern for adequate NV 3. Command and Control Commanding dismounted infantry during normal daylight operation intricate task; to attempt the same during reduced visibility operatio infinitely more challenging. Even after NVD’s are obtained, there m means for leaders to guarantee control and thus reduce the risk of This risk is an important consideration not only for sub-unit fire, but supporting fire, such as provided by attack helicopters and close a The most important infantry night command aid is the Ground Com Pointer (GCP). This device is an IR laser with a range of 8 km+. It comds to direct soldiers equipped with NVD’s by indicating both ta boundaries. For example, a pl comd could indicate trenches to his comds and the OC, subsequently giving his arcs for the consolidat Pl could then mark depth objectives for attack helicopters. The GCP-1 comes in two versions: the GCP-1/2A (50mW) and the range GCP-1/2B (100mW). The GCP-1’s are hand held, and the G can be mounted on a weapon. If the GCP-2A/B are employed, the is not required. "The night fighting equipment will not turn night into day but it will significantly enhance night vision for our soldiers in the field, givin them the capability to detect, monitor and engage an enemy force night." Lieutenant Colonel Andrew McLeod, Australian Army, Project Director NINOX Night fighting equipment for the 21st century GROUND COMMANDER'S POINTER NVEC GCP-2 A GCP-2A NSN–5855- 01-420-0817 Price: $1051 US GCP-1 A NSN-5 420-0849 Price: $1451 GCP-2 – Same type of laser as the GCP-1, however, the GCP-2 can be mounted on a variety of weapons. The GCP-2 has been adopted by the USMC for use by door- gunners The GCP-2 could also be mounted on a Ti sight such as the Eryx Ti sight and paint the target for ii NVDs extending their ranger. Soldiers and comds must have a means to establish positive comb identification at night in order to prevent fratricide; "Warrior Glotape inexpensive solution. To the naked eye, it appears as black duct ta finish and texture. When illuminated by normal visible light it exhibi special reflective characteristics. However, when illuminated by an (for example, GCP’s, PAQ-4C’s, or LAV-3 IR spotlights) the tape g brightly. "Warrior Glotape" could be placed on the back of a soldier and on the forestock of his weapon. An obvious criticism of this sys that NVD equipped enemy forces would also see our forces during illumination. This is true; however, illumination by comds would tak only seconds before engagement as a final confirmation of identity safeguard against fratricide far outweighs the risk of detection. MODEL NUMBER GCP-2A (OC’s/Pl Comd’s) GCP-2B (MFC/Recce Sect C Range 8,000 m 12,000 m 2-degree beam 1,500 m (man sized target) 3,000 m (man sized 10-degree beam 800 m (veh sized target) 1,600 m (veh sized t "MARKINGS: Each Ranger was marked with a two-inch strip of G tape on his arm and a one-inch square on his helmet. Glint tape ( tape) is reflective to IR sources shined on it. All cleared breach points, buildings and bunkers were marked with either IR chemlig or Phoenix beacons, as was the Casualty Collection Point" "Ranger Company Night Live Fire Raid in the IR Spectrum." The Phoenix IR beacon is a longer-range device that should be us addition to glow tape. The IR beacon - when activated - emits a str can only be detected by NVD’s. The programmable nature of this d means it lends itself to marking different friendly locations during th of patrols, link up operations, and other night operations. It can be used to mark vehicles, routes, attack positions, rolling replenishme landing zones. IR Tape illuminated by IR light Photo: NVEC Phoenix IR Strobe Photo: NVEC "Warrior Glotape" or IR Tape Every soldier should have IR tape on the back of his helmet and arm. The ABCA Quadripartite Advisory Publication, No 192, Ed 1 remarked that combat identification errors are one of seven primary causes for fratricide. The Phoenix was used in Kosovo during a Helo night extraction -- it could be seen as soon as the Helo took off, +5km away. NVEC NSN – 5855-01-396-8734 Distribution: One per section - 100 hrs on 9 volt battery - Waterproof - Easy to use - Range up to 20 km Price: $65.00 (US) The problem of control and identification remains during the use of sights, so an item to meet this requirement needs investigation. It m remembered that thermal sights prevent one from seeing visible w IR light sources, such as chem lights. Thermal panel markers are a and cost-effective solution. They will assist in the marking of a varie operationally significant locations (such as identifying obstacle brea for LAV-3 drivers using thermal viewers) and help to prevent fratric Thermal Identification Panel (TIP - manufactured by NVEC) is a the reflective marker designed for use with thermal sights and viewers work by showing the contrast between their cold spots and the war background temperature. Battle Reference Marking Systems (BRMS) $400 US Thermal Identification Panel (TIP) $109 US NSN – 2590-01-447-4937 Photo: BRMS Photo: NVEC Warrior Heat air activated ration heater as seen though a Ti sight. NSN 7310-01-434-1365 Photo NVEC No power is required Uses: TRP’s Fratricide avoidance m Trigger line marker Obstacle lane markers LZ markers Field boresight panel Passage of lines marke Range arc markers "New equipment such as the KITE site, laser det sight, Global Positioning System and Laser Range Finder were not readily accessible in quantities sufficient to train all personnel who would using these items in theatre. Obviously this is not a desirable situ as soldiers must be thoroughly versed in the use of their equipme before deployment as opposed to learning it as On-The-Job Train while on operations. Some small quantities of special in-theatre equipment was received but it arrived late." POST OPERATION REPORT OP HARMONY ROTO 5 PHASES 1-3, 1RCR. TITLE POST OPERATION REPORT OP HARMONY ROTO PHASES 1-3, 1RCR DATE FEB 1995 SUMMARY More and more frequently comds in the Canadian Infantry Corps a realizing that we do not have adequate equipment or training to fig effectively at night; this is especially the case after operations in-th where conditions are most accurate in helping to reflect what war w These same lessons and observations are repeated for Canadians at NTC/JRTC. The nature of the battlefield has changed, in large p because of rapid technological advances, and we have failed to ke Because our allies and many potential enemies have kept up-to-da however, we are needlessly putting our soldiers at risk of failing to objectives when deploying them in reduced visibility operations. Mo dangerously, however, we are increasing their risk of becoming vic fratricide; one has only to look back to the Gulf War to see this risk terms. In simple dollars, some of the items, which have been explo are very expensive. Nevertheless, some are cheaper than the C-79 sight ($459) currently in use by every rifleman in the Corps. While orders could reduce cost, most of the required equipment could als procured through local purchase in order to speed delivery to the u practical dollars, however, it is worth noting that the price of equipp infantry bns with these devices would be equal to the price of a few REFERENCES Night vision equipment manufactures: Own the Night! – Small Unit Night Fighter Manual. Centre for Army Lessons Learned. Fort Leavenworth KA, No Mar 96. This handbook combines existing doctrine with night-fighting techniques, and procedures (TTP) currently used by light infa squads and platoons. "Ranger Company Night Live Fire Raid in the IR Spectrum." LTC (LCol) Keen, P.K., and Cpt Larsen, J Training Techniques 2nd Quarter FY97 Centre for Army Lessons Learned. Fort Leavenworth KA, "Owning the Night." Adcock, Gene. Ref: Night Vision Equipment Company. Emm Fratricide: Reducing self-inflicted Losses. Centre for Army Lessons Learned. Fort Leavenworth KA, No 92. This newsletter reviews the most significant trends in ground and air-to-ground fratricide and proposes practical remedies. NO. 95-3 User's Guide: Combat identification Quick Fix Devi Centre for Army Lessons Learned. Fort Leavenworth KA, Night Vision Goggles In Focus: Revised Procedures U. S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences Training Program for Night Vision Goggle Driving Operations TC 21-305-2 Night Vision Equipment Company. A very good web sight! Low Profile Night Vision Goggles Canadian AN-AVS 502 used by: Air Force Security Force in and SAR techs Sure Fire Tactical Light Weapon mounted white light Photon Micro-Light Map reading and IR lights Knights Armament Modular Weapon Systems his page was done on 11 June, 2002 mments about our page? Please contact