NVGs Are


Gaining Ground, Including White-


Phosphor NVGs


Night vision goggles (NVGs) are not news. But


the


widespread use of NVGs by law enforcement (LE) aviation units is news, and this usage is growing in LE units big and small. “I’m seeing night vision goggles becoming prevalent,”


said


Dan Schwarzbach, executive director of the Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA). “Many aerial units that would not have used NVGs in the past are using them today and making their LE flight operations much more effective.”


In addition to allowing LE helicopters to fly more low-light missions, NVGs are allowing these pilots to operate at higher altitudes during such missions. “This gives them more time to respond if their


helicopters


have a mechanical emergency while flying,” Schwarzbach said.


“Higher


altitudes mean safer operations, and that’s what NVGs are providing to an increasing number of LE aviation units.”


Historically, NVGs have used green- phosphor displays, which means that


the enhanced video is displayed in gradations of green visible light. But now there’s a trend to use white-phosphor NVGs, which shows the video using white light gradations rather than green.


“Compared to green- phosphor NVGs, white-phosphor images stimulate the eye’s cone cells more effectively,” said Tony Tsantles, one of


Aviation


Spe ci al ti es Unlimited’s (ASU) NVG instructors. “This is said to cause less fatigue for the user, and a sharper level of contrast.”


The result: ASU’s sales of white- phosphor NVGs have been steadily increasing in volume since the product was introduced in 2013. “Short of providing


exact


figures, it’s safe to say the industry has continued nearly exclusive expansion in white phosphorus, just from what I’m told by our sales staff,”


Tsantles


noted. “We’ve also received feedback from the community stating that they have


preferred


white in urban areas for


reduced halo


presence in those environments.”


68


May/June 2019


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