| Panoramic night vision goggles now offer all combat | | | | it should become exposed to any bright light source will |
| pilots with a 95 degree field of vision compared to the | | | | then automatically reduce how much the wearer is |
| more traditional versions offering only a 40 degree field | | | | able to see (gain) by blocking it out. |
| of vision. All of these goggles use 4 x 16mm image | | | | But because this feature works independently in each |
| intensifier tubes whereas more traditional night vision | | | | tube then if one of the tubes is required to go into auto |
| goggles only have 2 x 18mm tubes. | | | | gating mode the other tubes will continue to operate in |
| The great thing about these panoramic night vision | | | | the normal way that is unless they are also exposed |
| goggles for combat pilots is that they are able to | | | | to the same bright light as well. By having this feature |
| improve their overall awareness of the situation that | | | | within the tubes this now means that the combat pilot |
| they are in. Plus they are much safer as they actual | | | | is able to retain good visual of all around them at all |
| double the amount of area in front of them that they | | | | times which makes them more aware of the situation |
| are able to view so allowing them to be able perform | | | | in which they are in. |
| almost the same kind of tactics that they would use in | | | | Although panoramic night vision goggles are extremely |
| the daytime at night. This in turn results in much better | | | | effective as they are at present, the manufacturers of |
| tracking and targeting capabilities than they had | | | | these particular goggles are always looking for ways |
| previously. | | | | to upgrade and enhance them further. At some stage |
| Another feature that is particularly unique to panoramic | | | | they hope to produce a pair which also includes |
| night vision goggles is known sometimes as auto | | | | sensor fusion technology. This kind of technology will |
| gating. What this means is that whilst been worn, the | | | | use both night vision and image intensifying technology |
| wearer is protected from any kind of temporary loss | | | | along with an infrared sensor technology as well. Such |
| of vision or it becoming impaired because of sudden | | | | goggles will be commonly referred to as "Enhanced |
| flashes of bright light occurring. Normally such bright | | | | Night Vision Goggles" or ENVG's and there are some |
| flashes may have been caused by a flaring going off. | | | | that are already using such technology in theirs. In fact |
| Each of the 4 tubes in the panoramic night vision | | | | ITT Industries have partnered up with Raytheon in |
| goggles contain the auto gating feature so each tube if | | | | order to develop such goggles. |