LEXINGTON, Mass.–U.S. Army leaders needed night-vision devices that blend imaging from dim visible-light and infrared (IR) sensors for all-weather use in darkness and other difficult-visibility conditions. They found their solution at BAE Systems in Lexington, Mass.

BAE Systems is delivering a prototype, helmet-mounted, night-vision goggle system to the Army that combines visible-light and infrared sensor technology called the digitally fused enhanced night-vision goggle, or ENVG(D), that enables soldiers to see multispectral images using a monocular eyepiece.

Developed through the Army’s Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier Enhanced Night Vision Goggle advanced technology development program, the BAE Systems ENVG(D) produces digitized data that soldiers can share across the battlefield for network-centric warfare operations.

“The design and delivery of this prototype is a milestone in the Army’s roadmap toward a digitally fused night-vision goggle capability,” says Rajani Cuddapah, ENVG(D) program manager for BAE Systems.

“It substantially improves situational awareness for our men and women in combat,” Cuddapah continues, “which means increased mission effectiveness–and, more important, increased survivability.”

Using the BAE Systems MicroIR sensor technology, the ENVG(D) prototype provides several modes of fusion, such as visible-only imagery, IR-only imagery, monochrome fusion, or colorized fusion with a user-selectable color palette.

The system includes a goggle, helmet mount, battery-pack assembly, and cabling.

The Army is evaluating the ENVG(D) prototype system to compare it with existing night-vision goggles.

For additional information, visit BAE Systems online at www.baesystems.com.