High-tech military goggles combine night vision, thermal imaging

State-of-the-Art goggles, that combine night vision and thermal imaging technology, are being developed by the BAE Systems for the U.S. Army.

A five-year contract worth around $434 million has been awarded by the Army to the defense technology specialist for the system that will give a more accurate and faster targeting to the soldiers. According to BAE, the technology will work in all the lighting and weather conditions.

The high-tech goggles are expected to be available for the Army service members around late 2016 or early 2017, according to a BAE spokesman.

Currently, the Army personnel are using two different devices – a weapon mounted thermal targeting sight and night vision goggles. It means that the soldiers view through their goggles and then target through by raising the weapon in their field of view. However, BAE is making these two devices merged into one by adding these capabilities into a single sight displayed on the soldiers’ goggles.  To send the thermal images from the weapon to the goggles, wireless video interface is used.

The technology will help military personnel engage enemy combatants and acquire targets faster. It will also reduce the need for aiming lasers, enabling soldiers to remain hidden longer, says the company.

BAE Systems’ vice president and general manager of Survivability and Targeting Solutions, Terry Crimmins, said in a statement: “The ability to conduct surveillance in any light or weather condition increases mission safety and effectiveness,”

BAE is testing the technology as part of the Army’s Enhanced Night Vision Goggle III and Family of Weapon Sight-Individual (ENVG III/FWS-I) program, working with the U.S Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate. Development and manufacturing is taking place at a BAE facility in Hudson, N.H.

Source: FOX News