Night vision system development began in World War II and has become a critical component of modern warfare. The ability to see in nighttime conditions allows military maneuvers and a potential advantage to the forces equipped with this technology. These night vision systems rely on the very low light levels of starlight and night sky illumination (called "atmospheric nightglow" ) to help image the targeted scene and its surroundings.
When military ground transport vehicles (trucks, tanks, armored personnel carriers, HUMVEE's) need to operate in total darkness, their drivers can employ Enhanced Vision Systems (EVS) featuring shortwave Infrared (SWIR) illumination and SUI shortwave infrared (SWIR) camera viewing systems to navigate covertly in hostile territory. Unlike Midwave infrared (MWIR) and Longwave Infrared (LWIR), SWIR cameras can image through the windshield and thus be mounted in the driver's compartment for a "driver's eye" view of the way ahead. SWIR cameras can also be integrated into ruggedized exterior housings.
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The visible imagery of a parking lot at night. What the human eye can see. |
The shortwave infrared imagery (using an SUI camera) of the same scene under the same conditions. |
SWIR imaging has the additional advantage of providing images that are similar to what is seen with naked eye. This important SWIR advantage enhances recognition capability, in turn helping to reduce potential for friendly fire incidents. In another enhancement for nighttime vehicle operation, vehicles can be equipped with SWIR running lights so that they are easily tracked by other vehicle operators, such as in a nighttime convoy situation. Armored vehicles could gain an important defensive capability by using covert rearward illumination and SWIR cameras to alert operators to guerilla actions at the back of the vehicle.
SUI (Sensors Unlimited, Inc.) is the pioneer and leader in shortwave infrared InGaAs photodiodes, arrays and cameras for night vision technology. Founded in 1991, the company has grown quickly to become a major supplier of InGaAs technology for shortwave IR imaging solutions in night time applications. Now a member of the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Systems Division of Goodrich Corporation, SUI has completed a number of projects for the U.S. Department of Defense, through Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Night Vision Laboratory (NVL) of the U.S. Army.