You’ve heard of night vision technology, right? You might even be familiar with exactly how it works in different applications.
What you might not know is all of NVGs various applications. It’s employed by a lot more than hunters and law enforcement, after all.
In fact, night vision technology has moved far beyond specialized military uses into serving a host of different organizations. Improving safety while affording operational visibility in low-light conditions are but a couple of advantages with NVG technology like the PVS-14.
Following are 10 of the top organizations and groups in the world who employ NVGs to successfully complete their missions.
- Armed Forces
For a long time now, the largest consumers of night vision goggles have been military forces. Soldiers depend on NVGs to accomplish night operations. It allows them to move and perform in low light without being noticed.
Night vision increases the situational awareness of soldiers, which can be quite crucial in any tactical mission. The standard issue of equipment in the U.S. Army consists of NVG types like the AN-PVS-14 monocular, which has a good reputation in adverse conditions.
- Law Enforcement Agencies
It’s probably no surprise that law enforcement uses NVG, either. Police departments and SWAT teams also use NVGs for surveillance, stakeouts, and nighttime pursuits.
The use of night vision allows officers to discreetly observe suspects, operating safely in the darkness. It’s reported that NVG use in operations can result in up to a marked improvement in officer safety.
Some units even use the latest models of NVGs with infrared capability, improving visibility and continuing operations effectively.
- Search and Rescue Teams
If you’re ever missing, you better hope your search party has some night vision equipment.
Search and rescue teams rely heavily on NVGs to locate missing persons at night. Equipped with thermal and image-enhancing night vision, a SAR team can find individuals who are hidden by the terrain or foliage.
Time is critical in such missions, and NVGs dramatically improve response times in dense, dark conditions.
- Aviation Personnel
The sky’s the limit with night vision technology!
NVGs are used by helicopter pilots to ensure the safe flying of many rescue and military operations through dark skies. They improve visibility, hence reducing the incidence of accidents during nighttime rescues or military operations.
The Federal Aviation Administration presents strict policies in relation to the application of NVGs in aviation and underlines how night vision improves safety among flight crews.
- Border Patrol and Customs Agents
Customs and Border Patrol agents also use NVGs to monitor and secure borders. Night vision helps them detect illegal crossings and track suspects in rugged, low-light environments. Border agents with NVGs can perceive movements up to several miles away, making NVG technology crucial for national security efforts.
- Wildlife Researchers and Conservation Agents
Wildlife researchers also make use of night vision in tracking and studying the habits of animals, mostly in remote areas with no artificial lighting. NVGs provide the capability to view nocturnal animals undisturbed in their natural habitats.
Some studies even show that night vision successfully helps conservationists tracking endangered species. The technology has led to significant advances in wildlife preservation.
- Security Personnel
Night vision technology helps secure people and property.
NVGs are used by security guards and personnel responsible for securing high-value or critical areas to monitor sites in the dark.
Night vision helps to detect trespassing attempts in everything from warehouses to government facilities.
Many security teams have advanced NVG systems with image enhancement and long-range viewing capabilities for greater surveillance.
- Hunters and Outdoor Enthusiasts
Before you go on the bug hunt, invest in some night vision goggles.
Hunters, particularly those stalking nocturnal animals, use NVGs to locate prey without alerting wildlife. Advanced NVGs can provide clear imaging even in moonlight, affording hunters a distinct strategic advantage. Models such as the AGM Rattler have become popular among hunters due to their compact nature and thermal imaging capabilities.
- Film and Television Production Teams
Instead of lights, camera, action, the making of some flicks uses night vision.
Undoubtedly, night vision helps various teams’ production crews with realistic footage shooting in dimly lit scene shootings. In such a way, the crew can easily shoot those scenes that have no artificial lighting. Many wildlife documentaries rely on NVGs for shooting animal species without disturbing them.
- Emergency Medical Services
NVGs are used under remote and darkened conditions where the EMS team has to locate and assist the patient. This allows the paramedic to navigate the most inhospitable terrain in nighttime emergencies, greatly improving response times in many rural areas.
Were any of the ways to use night vision technology surprising to you? Indeed, NVGs have their advantages not only in various mission types, but also in very different industries altogether. The technology simply makes nighttime operations safer, more visible, and successful.
