This is a split screen video (link located below screen shots) we produced demonstrating the effectiveness of Night Vision Goggles (NVG) in helicopter operations.
What is especially impressive in this particular example – apart from being able to clearly see terrain in unlighted areas – is the ability to see the fog layer. Without NVGs, a pilot could fly into fog without any indication that fog existed. This would be especially problematic for Visual Flight Rule (VFR) pilots flying into Instrument Meteorological conditions (IMC). With NVGs, the cockpit crew could clearly see the position and extent of the fog layer and determine whether continued flight and landing at a targeted airfield or landing zone was possible.
Only the raw footage from the shoot is presented here. No correction, enhancement, or degradation was applied to the video in post production.
Screen shots from the video
Watch the Video
Technical Notes
We built a custom rig to secure two 3 CCD, 1 lux cameras side by side for simultaneous recording. Anvis 9 NVGs were aligned and secured to one camera to simulate a pilot’s view through night vision goggles while a second camera simultaneously recorded a pilot’s view without the benefit of NVGs. The rig with cameras and NVGs mounted weighed 22 pounds. The camera system and operator were positioned in the Tactical Flight Officer’s position of a Bell 407 helicopter during a routine patrol over a rural area to the operations base.
This video is available in high resolution for companies who would like to acquire the footage as a training aid.
