Night combat capability is among the key capabilities needed to dominate today’s battlefield. A night combat capable force that can act faster in darkness and limited visibility and, most importantly, can detect, recognise, identify, and engage enemy forces faster while remaining undetected itself, is superior to any adversary. Night combat capability, however, is not just a matter of superior technology, equipment, and armament, but also of proper training.
Night combat capability requires both a mix of equipment and technology. This includes above all, enabling the warfighter to see in the dark. But he must also be able to engage targets. On the one hand, this is taken care of by using different night vision devices for different purposes. On the other hand, additional devices – especially laser or laser-light modules – play a prominent role. Another topic, but not covered in this article, is camouflage technology, which enables the warfighter to hide from enemy night vision technology.
A Mix of Devices and Technologies
The human eye can process only a small portion of the light spectrum. To enable the eye to see in the dark, there are different technological approaches. With the second and third generation image intensifier tubes available today, the first active night vision technology has become obsolete. Here, the shooter had to use a light source invisible to the naked eye for illumination in order to be able to see with his night vision device. Nevertheless, the principle has evolved. Modern, very compact laser and laser-light modules mounted on small arms make it possible to assign or mark targets or to illuminate targets at close range. As before, light discipline must still be maintained, as one is detectable by an enemy equipped with night vision technology.
Today’s passive night vision devices operate either as residual light intensifiers (Image Intensifier or II or I² for short) or as thermal imaging devices (also called infrared imaging). Image intensifiers make use of the available natural light. The second and third generation devices today operate with low levels of residual light or infrared light. Thermal imaging devices work according to the principle of thermography. They respond to the self-radiation of sources of different temperatures and convert temperature differences into an image. In turn, they can be divided into the lighter, smaller and quicker to use uncooled devices and cooled devices. The latter provides significantly better optical quality.
Recent Advances
The technology has developed rapidly over several years. This is reflected in ever-lower “SWaP” parameters – Size, Weight and Power. Thermal imaging devices are particularly suitable for imaging in the Mid Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) and Long Wavelength Infrared (LWIR) ranges. MWIR devices are considered more suitable for hot and hot-moist applications and LWIR devices for colder and dry applications.
LWIR and MWIR sensors use the heat signatures to display the observed image section. The still relatively new Short Wavelength Infrared (SWIR) and enhanced short wavelength infrared (eSWIR) devices take advantage of the ability to detect reflected radiation in the shortwave infrared. A natural source of such SWIR radiation is primarily the night sky glow, which is the faint glow of higher atmospheric layers, discovered by astronomer Anders Angström in 1868. Their ability to harness this natural invisible light source makes SWIR devices more powerful than conventional image intensifiers. They also provide images comparable to the visual spectrum that can be better interpreted by the user and are therefore used to identify objects. Faces or licence plates, for example, are easier to recognise. SWIR devices also make it easier to detect through fog or smoke. Likewise, unlike thermal imagers, these devices can also be used to look through window panes.
Further Wavelengths
Bright light or lightning also have little effect on the performance of shortwave infrared devices. In addition, SWIR devices – like “normal night vision” devices – detect common aiming lasers that operate at wavelengths from 820 nm to 1,060 nm. They can display all lasers radiating in the SWIR wavelength range (so-called “eye-safe” wavelengths around 1,550 nm) and, in turn, use them for illumination or marking. In terms of SWaP values, SWIR devices offer several advantages, especially when compared to cooled thermal imaging devices. For example, only a small amount of energy is required for cooling by cooling machines (Stirling coolers). This results in advantages for battery consumption and operating times. The long-term goal, of course, remains to be able to operate without a cooler.
In the meantime, the trend of sensor fusion has been established. Image intensifier and thermal image are displayed to the user in combination, offering the advantages of both technologies. In addition, increasing networking with other devices allows the user to have other situational awareness-relevant data fed into the display.
Paths to Night Combat Capability
Infantrymen and dismounted soldiers achieve basic night combat capability by combining image intensifier or combined image intensifier and thermal imaging night vision goggles in conjunction with both the day-vision optic sights and the laser/laser light module mounted on their individual small arms. Most day-vision targeting optics have night vision settings where the reticle is illuminated by light emission in the non-visible range. Tactical operations and shooting with night vision goggles, day vision optics and laser light module requires intensive training, since the interaction of the devices differs considerably from operation during daytime. In practice, it has been shown that targeted shots are possible at around 100 to 150 metres.
Add-on-attachments are often used to make riflescopes in particular, but also other daylight optics, suitable for night combat. Here, too, devices with image intensifier or thermal imaging technology are available. The devices are usually mounted in front of the riflescope. A major advantage of this in-line-mounting approach is that the weapon does not have to be readjusted, since the shooter continues to use the reticle of his daylight optic.
More Options
Standalone targeting optics, also with image intensifier or thermal imaging technology, offer yet another option for making small arms capable of night combat. They can usually be used both during the day and at night or in the dark. Compared with daytime optics, they are usually more bulky and heavier, depending on the underlying technology. As with the add-on-attachments, the shooter must take into account that the field of view is restricted compared to the day sights. This must be taken into account, for example, when dividing up observation areas.
Hand-held or tripod-mounted observation devices supplement the equipment. These are usually binocular devices with additional functions such as an integrated laser rangefinder, GPS, target marker and other functions. They are often used by command personnel, snipers or JTAC teams.
The Next Steps
In the meantime, sensors are reaching physical limits in terms of performance. Given the leaps in technology, particularly in terms of SWaP parameters, performance and networking, companies such as Vected see the next leaps in performance in digital image processing. One example is through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). For example, algorithms can help improve detection or even in the tracking of potential targets.
Networking and Virtual and Augmented Reality.
Networking night vision devices with command and control systems and the sensors of other platforms, as well as with augmented reality applications, are no longer a vision of the future. For example, the US Army’s Future Weapon Sight – Individual (FWS-I) communicates wirelessly with devices such as the Enhanced Night Vision Goggle – Binocular (ENVG-B) and enables Rapid Target Acquisition (RTA).
The reticle of the target optics is combined with the field of view of the night vision goggles. In the night vision goggles, the shooter can have the thermal image of the weapon sight displayed. Though this is a small image in the picture, the view through his night vision goggles is displayed. In this way, it is possible to use the weapon optics to observe from cover or even around corners without exposing oneself to enemy fire or observation. Findings from troop trials have shown that after a relatively short training period, relatively safe hits – an average of 34 out of 40 targets – were possible at over 200 metres.
Artificial Intelligence
ENVG-B and FWS-I will also be integrated into the US Army’s Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) future project. According to the current concept, these multifunction data goggles include a Head-Up Display (HUD), an individual core computer and a radio for data and voice. In this way, the soldier will be able to access data from more than just other sensors in the future. The US Army also plans to combine IVAS with AI and machine learning to create a fully integrated day/night combat capability. After delays in the project, operational testing has been announced for May 2022.
Train as you Fight – even at Night!
“Own the Night” is the tenet of night combat capability. In the meantime, the claim is now “Keep the night!” That is because night vision technology is not only developing rapidly, but proliferating just as quickly. Not only potential near-peer adversaries, but also irregular forces are now capable of night combat. Therefore, the question for modern forces is no longer whether night combat capability contributes to battlefield superiority. Rather, the question must be how night combat capability can be achieved as quickly, cross-sectionally and as sustainably as possible.
This is a question of equipment and technology on the one hand, but also of training on the other. It starts with simply operating the equipment as well as configuring the night vision technology with individual weapons and personal equipment for the purpose. Field maintenance and care are also part of the process. Individual shooting and combat techniques at night form the next stage. This is followed by tactical exercises at the subunit and unit level. Of course, this also means moving the training time into the naturally dark hours! However, the effort is worth it, because only by mastering the technology and tactics can superior night combat capability be achieved and maintained.
