Modern militaries of the world pride themselves on being on the cutting edge of technology, which allows them to conduct operations in all facets of warfare. One invention that has become a mainstay for military and security outfits for surveillance is the use of night vision technology, or NV. Indeed, the added benefit of night vision goggles allows the wearer almost limitless vision capabilities with little to no external light, important when scouting enemy garrisons or securing an area after dark.
Early Days
NV technology, thus NV goggles, were the brainchild of William Spicer of Stanford University, creator of the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory that studied radiation levels. Around the dawn of the United State's entry into WWII, Spicer discovered build equipment that read the radiation levels of objects and the surrounding environment, thus allowing one to see in the dark. He modified his equipment into a set of wearable goggles that the military immediately took an interest in.
Advancement
World War II NV goggles were often cumbersome for the wearer and had to use an infrared external light source that usually gave away the wearer's position. War once again proved the night vision goggles to be a necessity, as the Vietnam War led researchers to develop what is known as First and Second Generation Night Vision goggles (an NV-equipped Starlight Scope was also developed for military sniper teams as well).
Generations One and Two
The 1960s saw the introduction of the two generations, each different from one another. First Gen again required additional light as well, something not readily available though a dense jungle canopy. Military scientists then produced the Second Gen goggles in the early '70s, less heavy devices that didn't need external light but whose images weren't as defined as the First Gen NV goggles.
Third Generation
Advancements in NV technology in the mid- to late 1980s led to the Third Generation NVGs, goggles that used a specialized chemical coating on the photo sensitive cathodes that produced a much sharper image than ever before. The goggles were lightweight, produced no noise, and needed no external infrared light source, facts still present today. The advent of the Third Generation goggles changed how many night operations were conducted, as many military special forces teams began to rely heavily on the devices, as well as both combat and rescue helicopter pilots flying night missions. This technology is still in use today.
Next Gen
Thermal imaging equipment "competes" with NV gear in night vision superiority. Thermals register an object's heat signature against other objects in an environment; although not as finely detailed as NV goggles, thermals can detect heat from greater distances not available to standard NV goggles. Scientists are working on developing a Fourth Generation goggle that incorporated both NV and thermal technology into one efficient wearable device.
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