The Army's New Night Vision Goggles That Mark Enemies Like In A Video Game

They recognize "human-sized targets" up to 550 meters away and highlight their silhouette as if they had a neon outline.

The images seem to be taken from a video game or a science fiction film made in Hollywood: the silhouette of the soldiers and military equipment is clear and highlighted in a yellowish color as if their outline were formed by neon lights . However, these are videos and real photographs captured during a military maneuver, which show to what extent the war drinks from the entertainment industry in military innovations.

The videos have been recorded and shared by the Lancer Brigade belonging to the infantry of the United States Army and correspond to the tests that this combat group has done with the ENVG-B night vision goggles, an acronym that comes from Enhanced Night Vision Goggle Binocular ( improved night version binocular glasses, in Spanish).

These new US Army tested night vision goggles highlight allies and foes on the battlefield . As with the lighting and shading techniques used in modern video games , the ENVG-B highlights the contours of people in a lighter yellowish color, allowing you to clearly see the shapes and silhouettes of enemies .

The function of "recognition of human target targets", in addition to short distances, would work with an 80% effectiveness at distances ranging from 150 to 300 meters and with an effectiveness of 50% for distances ranging between 300 and 550 meters, according to the technical specifications of the ENVG-B glasses.

Another of the most striking aspects of these glasses is that, unlike traditional models, they do not provide an image with a greenish patina as has been the case for decades with this type of device. This is because the goggles use white phosphor tubes instead of the traditional green phosphor tubes found in night vision goggles.

The glasses, which have a battery that allow them to remain operational for at least seven and a half hours and also incorporate an augmented reality system that is coordinated with a peephole on the soldier's weapon.

A modality that, among other things, allows troops the ability to fire (aiming precisely at the target) from the waist or from behind a parapet (such as a wall or wall) without having to expose their body to enemy fire .

To date, these new night vision goggles have been successfully tested underground, in low visibility environments due to smoke and dust, as well as in total darkness.