AN/PVS-5
The AN/PVS-5 is a dual-tube night-vision goggle used for aviation and ground support. It uses second-generation image-intensifier tubes. The United States Army still has PVS-5 on supply but are very rarely used. The AN/PVS-5 is based on the SU-50 which was a first-generation night-vision goggle adapted by the United States Air Force in 1971. From 1972 until 1990 the AN/PVS-5 was the mainstay in US Army night vision for aviation. The AN/PVS-5C was not approved for flight because of its auto-gated feature causing the goggle to shut off in bright light. For ground troops the AN/PVS-5 was the sole night-vision goggle until the adaptation of the improved AN/PVS-7. Photographic evidence from Operation Eagle Claw shows US military personnel at Desert One in Iran using in the AN/PVS-5 NVGs.
| AN/PVS-5 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Passive |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Category | Head/helmet mountable |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1972–present[1] |
| Used by | United States Armed Forces |
| Wars | Vietnam War Persian Gulf War War in Afghanistan Iraq War |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1971 |
| Manufacturer | ITT Industries Litton Industries |
| Variants | AN/PVS-5, AN/PVS-5A, AN/PVS-5B, AN/PVS-5C |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 850 grams |
| Dimensions (L×H×W) | 6.5" x 6.8" x 4.7" |
| Resolution (lp/mm) | >32 lp/mm |
| Mode of Operation | Passive |
| II tube | MX-9916 |
| Field of vision (°) | 40 degrees |
| Range of detection | 50m (Starlight) 150m (Moonlight) |
| System zoom | 1× |
| Generation | 2 |
By today's standards the PVS-5 was a real safety risk for pilots, issues such as a limited field of view, poor light amplification, inability to read maps, and its excessive weight made it difficult to fly while operating them. In 1982 tests were being made for a suitable replacement for the AN/PVS-5 specifically for aviation, this led to the adaptation of the AN/AVS-6 ANVIS in 1989. The ANVIS was the first night-vision goggle used by the United States Army specifically designed for aviation.
The designation AN/PVS translates to Army/Navy Portable Visual Search, according to Joint Electronics Type Designation System guidelines.
References
- McLean, William E.; Rash, Clarence E.; McEntire, Joseph; Braithwaite, Malcolm G.; Mora, John C. (May 1998). "A Performance History of AN/PVS-5 and ANVIS Image Intensification Systems in U.S. Army Aviation (Reprint)" (PDF). U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 October 2004. Retrieved 10 June 2022.