AN/PVS-4 (Night Vision Sight, Individual Served Weapon, AN/PVS-4) is the U.S. military designation for a specification of the first second generation passive Night vision device.
The AN/PVS-4 first saw widespread use during the Gulf War and later some deployment in the Iraq War and has since been replaced by modern third-generation weapon sights.
Introduction
Although passive night vision technology capable of allowing vision under ambient starlight conditions has existed since the 1950s, it was not until the AN/PVS-4 was developed that a practical, high quality device that met military requirements was first made available.
Unlike earlier passive starlight weapon scopes the AN/PVS-4 provided a high quality image without significant distortion, could adjust to changing ambient light conditions, was able to take multiple reticles to operate in many roles and had protective features allowing it to shut down in the event of exposure to bright light, but still recover in time after a muzzle flash for the operator to see the round hit the target.
Using the MX-9644 Image Intensifier tube the AN/PVS-4 became one of the most widely used night vision scopes and has been in active use for more than a quarter of a century.
History
US Marine with a M240G machine gun in the Persian Gulf, 2004.
Initial engineering development of the AN/PVS-4 was undertaken by Optic Electronic Corporation of Dallas, Texas, in 1975 as a replacement for the Vietnam War era AN/PVS-2 Starlight Scope.
In 1976, the first production contract was awarded for 47,074 units, and first deployed in 1978.[1]
16,927 more units were produced between 1985 and 1989 and 24,046 more units produced between 1990 and 1992.
By 2002, more than 150,000 units had been produced within the United States alone.
Although production has ceased, as recently as 2008 the US military was still obtaining parts to both repair AN/PVS-4s and convert AN/PVS-4s to AN/TVS-5As. It is still presently also upgrading AN/PVS-4s to AN/PVS4As also.
During the Gulf War, the AN/PVS-4 was widely deployed on a variety of weapons. The Gulf War represented the first war in which ground combat operations continued both day and night through the use of night vision devices.
Although more modern equipment was available during the Iraq War, the AN/PVS-4 was still in active use. Production of the AN/PAS-13 thermal weapon sight began in 1996 and production of the AN/PVS-4 ceased entirely by 2002.
Design details
The AN/PVS-4 uses a 25mm screw-type variable-gain Image Intensifier tube. Operational voltage is 3.0 Volts. Early production models feature two circular battery compartments located on the main housing. These battery compartments are designed to accommodate one 3.0V BA-5567/U, or two 1.5V BA-3058/U simultaneously. Later designations such as the AN/PVS-4A use two common AA batteries (BA-3058/U) via a purpose-built adapter (PN A3009873) that attaches to one of the circular battery compartments. Use of the adapter negates the need for BA-5567/U and BA-3058/U. AN/PVS-4s still in use today are typically upgraded with the AA battery adapter even if they have not been upgraded to a third generation tube. Some AN/PVS-4A models made after 1984 feature an integral AA battery housing that does not require the use of an external AA battery adapter.[2]
MX-9644 Image Intensifier Tube
Much of the success and longevity of the AN/PVS-4 was due to the MX-9644 Image Intensifier tube. To make the tube more usable with simple optics, a second-generation MCP based image intensifier was adapted to an electrostatic inverter, similar to a first-generation image intensifier.
The result was that the tube produced an inverted image, simplifying the optical requirements of any night vision device that used it.
Although not a hybrid tube (Gen1 and Gen2 in the same tube housing) it nonetheless produced a gain of around 20,000 making it suitable for use under starlight only conditions and even overcast starlight conditions in remote locations.
Subsequent Image Intensifier Tube Development
The MX-9644 was later replaced by the MX-11620 Third-generation tube, which is a direct replacement for devices that were designed to use the MX-9644.
The MX-9644 tube was also continued in the form of the MX9644/UV which was a second generation tube although evidence exists that a further hybrid tube (Gen3 tube attached by FO to a Gen1 tube) was developed under this specification to provide far more gain, improved S/N and lower EBI. Hybrid tubes are capable of gains well in excess of 100,000 times. The Stinger Night Sight is a good example of Gen3+1 technology.
The ITT F4849 and ITT F4960 (MX-11619 and MX-11620) were also developed which use a 25mm Gen3 tube. As these tubes were proximity focussed, it was necessary to add a Fiber-Optic inverter to the tube to both extend the optical length of the device and the Gen3 photocathode was also mounted in some cases on a Fiber Optic plate rather than the usual Gen3 glass plate to match the focal point of the AN/PVS-4 optics. These tubes provided significant performance increase in gain but very little in the way of resolution.
Two other tube developments that occurred but were not widely manufactured included optical relays to invert the image both in front and behind a Gen3 25mm tube. This allowed for significant increases in tube resolution and performance over the FO based third generation tubes and involved a lens assembly being housed in a container that matched the MX-9644 tube exactly.
Related development for driving based devices included Fiber Optic expanders that magnified the image and could be retrofitted to driving scopes that also used this tube.
Operation
Operation of the device is through two controls located on the left side of the tube housing.
The lower control is an on/off switch for the image intensifier tube and secondarily controls the gain of the tube, allowing the operator to control the brightness of the image.
The upper control is an on/off switch for the illuminated reticle and secondarily allows the brightness of the reticle to be adjusted.
Elevation and Windage adjustment is made through turrets located on the objective lens. Each click equals 1/4 moa.
Day/night adapter
The Day/Night adapter allows use of the AN/PVS-4 during the day. When the Day/Night adapter is used, the image field of view is reduced and appears triangular.
The AN/PVS4 also has a Day/Night adapter that allows sighting in of the units during the day time or for daytime operation of the sight. Under extremely bright nighttime conditions, it may be necessary to use this adapter.
The adapter consists of three hole sizes spaced evenly around the periphery
These pass by three larger aperture holes and three dark glass lenses to allow for six different levels of light reduction into the scope.
As a result, the AN/PVS-4 can be used in lighting conditions ranging from midday-sun in the desert, through to very-bright-moonlight and high levels of urban lighting.
Under moonlight or lower conditions, the AN/PVS-4 can be used without the adaptor and the ABC or Automatic Brightness Controls will reduce the gain, although the image may be too bright for the reticle to show correctly.
When used, the image of the AN/PVS-4 is reduced and appears somewhat triangular. Due to the small apertures and resulting light diffraction, focusing behavior differs from normal operation due to the increased depth of field.
Limitations
In December 1974, the final AN/PVS-4 Development Test[3] recorded the various shortcomings found during field testing. The majority of the issues were addressed in final production. Issues not addressed were deemed permissible.
Several issues noted were reliability, specifically with intensifier tubes being damaged due to moisture. This problem was fully addressed in final production. It was also noted the mount designed to secure the AN/PVS-4 to the M60 machine gun was difficult to install and prone to loss of zero. The sight reticles for both the M16 rifle and M14 rifle required firing a minimum of 20 rounds to seat before the zeroing procedures could begin, leading to an excessive expenditure of ammunition. The sight reticles were subsequently modified, requiring only 2 rounds for seating purposes. Early reticles for the M16/M203 could not be zeroed for each weapon simultaneously. Rubber eye guard separation from the sight was a common problem that was addressed.
An example of a noted shortcoming ultimately considered insignificant was an enemies ability to detect the reflection of the AN/PVS-4 objective lens using an active infrared night vision device. The IR device needed to detect the AN/PVS-4 required a straight-on unobstructed view, and AN/PVS-4 detection only occurred using an active device (as opposed to passive). The IR light emitted from the enemy's active device would be clearly observable to a anyone employing an AN/PVS-4, making the enemies position easily known.
Reticle burn-in was also addressed. One issue that persists even in production models is the tendency for the projected reticle pattern to become washed out in bright light. This can be somewhat mitigated by adjusting the Reticle Brightness knob to its brightest position and keeping the Tube Brightness knob as low as possible.
Variants
Although not specifically considered "variants" there are a number of other models that share the AN/PVS-4 lineage and often use interchangeable components, including the image intensifier tube.
The addition of a "A" after the model, e.g., AN/PVS-4A, signifies a third-generation image intensifier tube and may be designated either after upgrade or at original manufacture. "A" variants typically use "AA" batteries.
AN/TVS-5
The AN/TVS-5 is an observation scope, although it does come with reticles and can be used as a weapon sight as well. With a larger catadioptric lens and higher zoom level, it is rated with a detection range of over 1 Kilometer with a third-generation image intensifier tube.
NVS-700
The NVS-700 is the original designation of the Optic Electronics Corp. AN/PVS-4. This model is also manufactured in Iran.
NVS-800
The NVS-800 is the original des of the Optic Electronics Corp. AN/TVS-5. This model is also manufactured in Iran.
Auto NVS-1
Observation version of the AN/PVS-4 without a reticle, manufactured in Iran.
Auto NVS-2
Binocular version of AN/PVS-4 without reticle, manufactured in Iran.
NVS-T 700
Individual Night Vision Sight, With Reticle, manufactured in Iran.
NVS-T 800
Binocular Night Vision scope, based on AN/TVS-5, manufactured in Iran.
IWS NL-84
AN/PVS-4 made in Israel by New Noga Light.
NL-87
AN/TVS-5 derivative made in Israel by New Noga Light.
Star-Tron
The Star-Tron 426 is a surveillance device designed to make use of the Civilian version of the MX9644 tube, the F4845. It is thought that the F4845 were tubes that did not pass the milspec requirements.[who?]
NVM-4
A small surveillance scope intended primarily for Law Enforcement use, that is designed specifically to use surplus MX9644 tubes from AN/PVS-4s that are upgraded to Gen III tubes.
ITT's F4960 Stinger night sight
A direct descendant of the AN/PVS-4 using an advanced Gen III+I F4844 Image tube, it is capable of identifying targets at ranges of up to seven kilometers. It is intended as the sighting mechanism for the Stinger missile. It features as 2.26x zoom and a 23.5 degree field of view.[4]
Reticles
One of the unique capabilities of the AN/PVS-4 that is not available in many other night vision weapon sights is the field-changeable reticles.
The crosshair is the most basic reticle for the AN/PVS-4 and is available as either a simple crosshair, A mildot crosshair or as an aimpoint crosshair.
A simple crosshair reticle can be seen on the photo taken through a surveillance AN/PVS-4. The image was taken during a wide-area blackout on a moonless night in a remote suburban area.
M16/M203/M79
The M16 reticle features a range-estimator and a three-point cross-hair that provides an aiming point for close range, 200m and 400m. The same reticle is also used for the M203 and the M79.
M16/M203/M79 reticle
M60/M14/M249
The M60 reticle is similar to the M16 reticle but contains points rather than crosshairs for 200m, 400m and 600m. This reticle is used for the M14 and M249 also.
M14-M60
M72A1
The M72A1 reticle contains a rangefinder with marks for 100, 200, and 300 metres. This sight is used on the M72 LAW.
M72A1 reticle
M67
The M67 reticle is similar to the M72A1 reticle, but contains range marks for 200, 400, 600, and 800 metres.
M67 reticle
F4960 Stinger night sight
The Stinger reticle is very different in that it is a rear-mounted illuminated reticle -the reticle is built into the tube and positioned on top of the screen so both the screen and reticle are in focus. It also allows red-on-green illumination which makes the reticle stand out. The top circle is the range finding circle and the lower three locations are for sighting.
Stinger night sight reticle
Location of manufacture
The AN/PVS-4 is one of the most widely manufactured night vision sights in the world, with many countries making their own version either under license to the US or as a variant.
US manufacturers
Originally manufactured by Optic-Electronic Corp in Texas, also manufactured by Varo (Litton), ITT and Northrop Grumman and Ni-Tec Inc. in Niles Illinois.
Euroatlas manufacture the AN/PVS-4 and AN/TVS-5 Night Vision Sights under license.
Iran
Iran Electronics Industries manufacture the NVS-700(AN/PVS-4) and NVS-800(AN/TVS-5)
Singapore
Thales Optronics Systems manufacture the NVS-700(AN/PVS-4) and NVS-800(AN/TVS-5)
Israel
New Noga Light, a subsidiary of Star Night Technologies, manufactures a range of NVDs including the NL84, NL87 and NL89 variants of the AN/PVS4, AN/TVS5 and AN/PVS20
Alternative use
Surveillance
The AN/PVS-4 is also commonly used for surveillance operations and surplus units are commonly donated to police forces.
There are also surveillance model derivatives specifically designed to use civilian versions of the tube, such as the Star-Tron, which uses the ITT F4845 25mm tube.
Additionally, companies such as AB Night Vision also produce after-market surveillance device housings such as the NVM-4A for law enforcement and civilian use that take surplus military MX9644 tubes.
Astronomy
Due to its availability and affordability, the AN/PVS-4 has been used very successfully in the realm of electronically assisted astronomy. Astronomers have adapted the AN/PVS-4 for use with telescopes and other celestial observation equipment.[5][6]
Summary
Despite being obsoleted by newer technology, especially third-generation night vision, the AN/PVS-4 is still a capable device and still far exceeds the quality of many contemporary civilian devices.
While considered an older scope, it still shows up from time to time as a second-hand or used item at weapon shows and through private sales, although good quality units are still sought after and difficult to come by.
Although the military is phasing this unit out, older devices are frequently donated to police services for reuse and so the AN/PVS-4 is likely to remain in use for some time.
Cultural impact and civilian ownership
Although the AN/PVS-4 is one of the best-known night vision devices, it is not a commonly recognized device. Up until recent times, prohibitive costs and availability limitations on devices such as the AN/PVS-4 resulted in very few items being available outside of the Military.
Because of the limited availability of 25mm image intensifier tubes and housings to civilians, and what AN/PVS-4s did become available tended to have well used tubes and as a result, civilians tended to avoid buying them.
The availability of third-generation riflescopes of higher quality for professionals would have provided another option for shooters while the lower cost of first-generation consumer night vision devices would have led to lower end consumers purchasing cheaper imported scopes.
However the AN/PVS-4 does have a reputation for holding zero and being able to withstand high recoil, making it popular amongst enthusiasts who are able to get a reasonable good condition item.
The optics are considered exceptional, even by contemporary standards and the biggest drawback compared to modern scopes is the weight.
Although the AN/PVS-4 has not had a great deal of cultural impact, its legacy of high quality night vision has become a staple of movies and television shows which often do not show real equipment.
As a result, very few people that do not have military, firearm or night-vision experience are likely to recognize one visually.
A night-vision device (NVD), also known as a night optical/observation device (NOD) or night-vision goggle (NVG), is an optoelectronic device that allows visualization of images in low levels of light, improving the user's night vision.
The Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG) is a series of prismatic telescopic sights manufactured by Trijicon. The ACOG was originally designed to be used on the M16 rifle and M4 carbine, but Trijicon has also developed ACOG accessories for other firearms. Models provide fixed-power magnification levels from 1.25× to 6×. ACOG reticles are illuminated at night by an internal tritium phosphor. Some versions have an additional daytime reticle illumination via a passive external fiberoptic light pipe or are LED-illuminated using a dry battery. The first ACOG model, known as the TA01, was released in 1987.
An image intensifier or image intensifier tube is a vacuum tube device for increasing the intensity of available light in an optical system to allow use under low-light conditions, such as at night, to facilitate visual imaging of low-light processes, such as fluorescence of materials in X-rays or gamma rays, or for conversion of non-visible light sources, such as near-infrared or short wave infrared to visible. They operate by converting photons of light into electrons, amplifying the electrons, and then converting the amplified electrons back into photons for viewing. They are used in devices such as night-vision goggles.
A reticle, or reticule also known as a graticule, is a pattern of fine lines or markings built into the eyepiece of an optical device such as a telescopic sight, spotting scope, theodolite, optical microscope or the screen of an oscilloscope, to provide measurement references during visual inspections. Today, engraved lines or embedded fibers may be replaced by a digital image superimposed on a screen or eyepiece. Both terms may be used to describe any set of patterns used for aiding visual measurements and calibrations, but in modern use reticle is most commonly used for weapon sights, while graticule is more widely used for non-weapon measuring instruments such as oscilloscope display, astronomic telescopes, microscopes and slides, surveying instruments and other similar devices.
A telescopic sight, commonly called a scope informally, is an optical sighting device based on a refracting telescope. It is equipped with some form of a referencing pattern – known as a reticle – mounted in a focally appropriate position in its optical system to provide an accurate point of aim. Telescopic sights are used with all types of systems that require magnification in addition to reliable visual aiming, as opposed to non-magnifying iron sights, reflector (reflex) sights, holographic sights or laser sights, and are most commonly found on long-barrel firearms, particularly rifles, usually via a scope mount. Similar devices are also found on other platforms such as artillery, tanks and even aircraft. The optical components may be combined with optoelectronics to add night vision or smart device features.
The Special Operations Peculiar MODification (SOPMOD) kit is an accessory system for the M4A1 carbine, CQBR, FN SCAR Mk 16/17, HK416 and other weapons used by United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) special forces units, though it is not specific to SOCOM. The kit allows US Special Operations Forces personnel to configure their weapons to individual preferences and customize for different mission requirements.
The AN/PVS-14 Monocular Night Vision Device (MNVD) is in widespread use by the United States Armed Forces as well as NATO allies around the world. It uses a third generation image intensifier tube, and is primarily manufactured by Litton Industries and Elbit Systems of America. It is often used 'hands free' using a head harness or attached to a combat helmet such as the PASGT, MICH TC-2000 Combat Helmet, Advanced Combat Helmet, Marine Lightweight Helmet or IHPS. It can also be used as a weapons night sight. In addition, it was part of the equipment fielded in the U.S. Army's Land Warrior program. Morovision Night Vision was the law enforcement distributor of the NEPVS-14 for ITT.
The C79 optical sight (SpecterOS3.4x) is a telescopic sight manufactured by Elcan. A variant, the M145 Machine Gun Optic is in use by the US military. It is 3.4×28, meaning 3.4x magnification, and a 28mm diameter objective lens. A tritium illuminated reticle provides for normal and low-light conditions sighting. It can be mounted to a variety of rifles and light machine guns using the Picatinny rail mounting system or the similar Diemaco rail system found on small arms produced by Diemaco/Colt Canada. Similar rifle sights are the Sight Unit Small Arms, Trilux (SUSAT) and the Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG).
A thermographic weapon sight, thermal imagery scope or thermal weapon sight is a sighting device combining a compact thermographic camera and an aiming reticle. They can be mounted on a variety of small arms as well as some heavier weapons.
A reflector sight or reflex sight is an optical sight that allows the user to look through a partially reflecting glass element and see an illuminated projection of an aiming point or some other image superimposed on the field of view. These sights work on the simple optical principle that anything at the focus of a lens or curved mirror will appear to be sitting in front of the viewer at infinity. Reflector sights employ some form of "reflector" to allow the viewer to see the infinity image and the field of view at the same time, either by bouncing the image created by lens off a slanted glass plate, or by using a mostly clear curved glass reflector that images the reticle while the viewer looks through the reflector. Since the reticle is at infinity it stays in alignment with the device to which the sight is attached regardless of the viewer's eye position, removing most of the parallax and other sighting errors found in simple sighting devices.
The AN/PSQ-20 Enhanced Night Vision Goggle (ENVG) is a third-generation passive monocular night vision device developed for the United States Armed Forces by ITT Exelis. It fuses image-intensifying and thermal-imaging technologies, enabling vision in conditions with very little light. The two methods can be used simultaneously or individually. The ENVG was selected by the US Army's Program Executive Office Soldier as a supporting device for the Future Force Warrior program in 2004, and is intended to replace the older AN/PVS-7 and AN/PVS-14 systems. Although more expensive and heavier than previous models, US Special Forces began using the goggles in 2008 and the US Army's 10th Mountain Division began fielding the AN/PSQ-20 in 2009. Improvements to the goggles have been attempted to make them lighter, as well as enabling the transmission of digital images to and from the battlefield.
The Institute of Optronics was a military funded research and development institute located in Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan.
A holographic weapon sight or holographic diffraction sight is a non-magnifying gunsight that allows the user to look through a glass optical window and see a holographic reticle image superimposed at a distance on the field of view. The hologram of the reticle is built into the window and is illuminated by a laser diode.
The AN/PVS-7 is a single tube biocular night vision device. Third-generation image intensifiers are able to be installed and are standard for military night vision. Most newer PVS-7 intensifier tubes are auto-gated to prevent image intensifier damage if exposed to intense light. The goggles have a built-in infrared Illuminator for low-light situations. They are waterproof and charged with nitrogen to prevent internal condensation while moving between extreme temperatures.
1PN51-2 is the GRAU index for a Soviet designed passive night scope for the RPG-29 rocket launcher. 1PN is the GRAU index of night vision devices, where PN stands for Nochnoy Pritsel meaning night sight.
1PN51 is the GRAU index for a Soviet designed passive night scope for a range of Soviet designed small arms and grenade launchers. 1PN is the GRAU index of night vision devices, where PN stands for Nochnoy Pritsel meaning night sight.
1PN58 is the GRAU index for a Soviet designed passive night scope for a range of Soviet designed small arms and grenade launchers. 1PN is the GRAU index of night vision devices, where PN stands for Nochnoy Pritsel meaning night sight. It is also called NSPUM. or NSPU-1. The 1PN58 was introduced into Soviet service in the early 1970s and is still used by many of the Soviet Union's successor states, and has been used in numerous conflicts around the world.
The AN/PVS-17 Miniature Night Sight (MNS) is a compact, lightweight and high performance night vision weapon sight in wide use by the US Army Special Forces and USMC. The AN/PVS-17 is a Generation III Night Vision Device and uses the OMNI IV MX 10160 3rd generation image intensifier tube and can also be used as a handheld observation device. The designation AN/PVS translates to Army/Navy Portable Visual Search, according to Joint Electronics Type Designation System guidelines.
The AN/PSQ-42 Enhanced Night Vision Goggle-Binocular (ENVG-B) is a third-generation passive binocular night vision device developed for the United States Army by L3Harris. It combines dual tube image-intensifying (I²) and thermal-imaging technologies into a single goggle, enabling vision in low-light conditions. The two methods can be used individually or simultaneously in a fused mode. The ENVG-B is intended to be issued to the dismounted combat arms soldiers within the Army's Brigade combat teams (BCT), and so far over 10,000 have been issued to several BCT's within the 1st Infantry Division, 2nd Infantry Division, 25th Infantry Division, 82nd Airborne Division and 101st Airborne Division. The US Marine Corps has also purchased 3,100 ENVG-B units.
References
Much of the information above has been taken from the AN/PVS-4 service manual and operational manual.[7][8]
Variant information is taken from datasheets supplied by the manufacturer or published specifications.
Tube information is taken from public specifications.
Contract Information and Timeline is taken from Janes[dead link]
Singapore and Iran manufacturing reference from Janes[dead link]
Parts are still being sourced for repair and maintenance of the AN/PVS-4 as recently as 2008 suggesting this device is still in current use in the US Military. Archived 2011-07-17 at the Wayback Machine
New versions of this scope are being manufactured in Iran
↑ Pike, John; Sherman, Robert (22 February 2000). "AN/PVS-4 Individual Weapon Night Sight". Federation of American Scientists Military Analysis Network. Archived from the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
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