Night vision just got better

A look through some of the Army’s newest technology

By J.M. Simpson on June 20, 2021

The Enhanced Night Vision Google-Binocular, or ENVG-B, provides soldiers with unmatched clarity, depth perception and peripheral vision.

The ENVG-B is part of the Army's Force Modernization Program that provides soldiers with better situational awareness of the battlefield.

Its white phosphorus capabilities are a significant upgrade which allow for increased visibility in near zero illumination conditions.

The binoculars weigh 2.5 pounds and attach to the front of a helmet.

Much like a video game, The ENVG-B includes enhanced reality capabilities as well as a heads-up display that wirelessly integrates with weapon optics.

Developed by L3 Harris Technologies, the ENVG-B enhances a soldier's ability to locate, engage and survive threats.

"The success of the ENVG-B program is based on our continued collaboration with the U.S. Army and our ability to rapidly develop, test and deliver next-generation capabilities that enable our soldiers to combat near-peer threats around the world," said Lynn Bollengier, president of L3 Harris, in an Army Technology article.

"Delivering imagery and data from the battlefield directly to the soldier's eye is game-changing technology, and L3 Harris is proud to equip the army with the first combat-ready goggles of this kind."

In a shift away from the lime green imagery typical of the earlier models of night vision googles (NVGs), the ENVG-B utilizes white phosphor tubes which provide sharper contrast highlighted by glowing white outlines.

"The ENVG-B also provides thermal capability with three modes, white hot, black hot, and outline which highlights thermal signatures with an orange line," explained 1Lt. Blake Gaughan, executive officer, B Company, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

The ENVG-Bs are much more than a stand-alone piece of equipment; they are a system.

"They have the capability to be wirelessly connected to the PAS-35 thermal weapon sight. When paired with the new optics, it allows a soldier to aim a weapon's sight without being directly behind the weapon ... and not exposed to enemy fire," continued Gaughan.

Another feature is a reality overlay that displays maps and navigational aids integrated with an augmented reality compass that enhances situational awareness.

The ENVG-Bs also connects wirelessly to other ENVG-Bs being used by soldiers which allows them to mark an object in cyberspace and have it show up on the rest of the squad's goggles.

In another step forward, if a flash bang grenade goes off, or if there was a bright light, soldiers will no longer be momentarily  blinded. The new ENVG-Bs have an adjustable intensity tool that allows soldiers to use them in all kinds of lighting situations.

In the photograph accompanying this article, it clearly shows soldiers during a training mission outlined in white and orange against a concrete wall at night.

"It's a new piece of technology, and we want to make sure everyone has time to be properly trained," concluded Gaughan.

"It's an ongoing process in increasing survivability."