WEBVTT 00:00:06.139 --> 00:00:08.108 Six subject matter experts assessed 00:00:08.108 --> 00:00:11.978 six commercial off the shelf head or helmet mountable night vision devices 00:00:12.011 --> 00:00:13.780 according to specifications 00:00:13.780 --> 00:00:17.917 and while performing simulated operational activities at Picatinny Arsenal’s 00:00:17.917 --> 00:00:22.355 Homeland Defense Training Facility located in New Jersey from March 29th 00:00:22.622 --> 00:00:24.891 through April 2nd, 2022. 00:00:25.759 --> 00:00:29.362 Night vision devices allow emergency responders to tactically maneuver 00:00:29.362 --> 00:00:32.832 and maintain situational awareness in minimal light situations. 00:00:33.399 --> 00:00:36.136 There are two main technologies used by night vision devices. 00:00:37.003 --> 00:00:40.540 Image intensification works in the visible and near-infrared portions 00:00:40.540 --> 00:00:43.643 of the electromagnetic spectrum, while thermal imaging works 00:00:43.643 --> 00:00:46.346 in the mid wave and long wave portions of that spectrum. 00:00:46.980 --> 00:00:49.082 Image intensifier as can see through glass. 00:00:49.082 --> 00:00:52.452 While thermal imagers do not work through glass and other thermally 00:00:52.452 --> 00:00:55.722 insulated materials, 00:00:55.722 --> 00:00:59.025 this assessment focused on white phosphor gen3 binoculars 00:00:59.325 --> 00:01:02.161 which used only image intensification or image 00:01:02.161 --> 00:01:05.732 intensification combined with thermal imaging obtained through an accessory. 00:01:07.367 --> 00:01:10.403 Evaluators use night vision technology to conduct activities 00:01:10.403 --> 00:01:13.573 such as surveillance, search and rescue, patrol, 00:01:13.573 --> 00:01:16.809 and SWAT operations in low light or no light conditions. 00:01:17.410 --> 00:01:20.647 To assess the device's ability to integrate with a thermal accessory, 00:01:20.647 --> 00:01:23.316 an optics one enhanced clip on thermal imager 00:01:23.449 --> 00:01:26.919 ECOTI was used during three of the operational scenarios. 00:01:27.520 --> 00:01:30.957 Evaluators found that the ECOTI would enhance their existing equipment. 00:01:31.357 --> 00:01:34.861 However, compatibility and functionality issues with some night vision 00:01:34.861 --> 00:01:36.929 devices were identified. 00:01:36.929 --> 00:01:40.099 The most common issues identified were related to mount compatibility, 00:01:40.099 --> 00:01:43.936 image alignment and visual impacts. 00:01:44.671 --> 00:01:47.674 The subject matter expert evaluators assessed each product 00:01:47.674 --> 00:01:52.111 against a total of 21 evaluation criteria within four of the SAVER categories. 00:01:52.779 --> 00:01:55.281 Capability, deployability, 00:01:56.015 --> 00:01:58.384 usability and maintainability. 00:01:59.652 --> 00:02:02.755 Evaluators assessed each product based on their experiences 00:02:02.755 --> 00:02:06.159 during a familiarization session that included a discussion of features, 00:02:06.459 --> 00:02:12.432 specifications and uses of the product and four operational scenarios. 00:02:12.698 --> 00:02:16.636 During the SWAT scenario, responders secured a perimeter, covertly maneuvered 00:02:16.636 --> 00:02:19.672 through a building while searching for objects and apprehending a suspect. 00:02:20.306 --> 00:02:23.443 The device's ability to adjust from close to further away distances 00:02:23.709 --> 00:02:26.512 and its ability to recover from a flash were also tested 00:02:26.512 --> 00:02:29.248 during this scenario. 00:02:30.116 --> 00:02:32.485 The search and rescue scenario involved navigating 00:02:32.485 --> 00:02:35.621 a wooded area, searching for a missing person and their belongings. 00:02:36.189 --> 00:02:39.458 Depth perception while walking and thermal integration were 00:02:39.458 --> 00:02:40.693 assessed in this scenario. 00:02:42.361 --> 00:02:44.263 For the train car patrol scenario, 00:02:44.263 --> 00:02:47.767 one train car was filled with smoke and one was completely blacked out. 00:02:48.267 --> 00:02:51.504 Responders searched throughout the train cars to find a mock bomb, 00:02:52.104 --> 00:02:54.340 weapons and trip wires. 00:02:54.340 --> 00:02:55.174 Image clarity, 00:02:55.174 --> 00:02:56.108 the strength of the I.R. 00:02:56.108 --> 00:02:58.678 illuminator, and thermal integration were assessed. 00:03:00.413 --> 00:03:01.814 For the surveillance scenario. 00:03:01.814 --> 00:03:04.584 activities were performed from the top of a multi-story building. 00:03:05.551 --> 00:03:08.387 Evaluators visually scanned the area of a tactical village, 00:03:08.387 --> 00:03:11.324 identifying objects and people at varying distances. 00:03:12.058 --> 00:03:16.929 Light range operability and image clarity were assessed. 00:03:17.496 --> 00:03:25.304 The following products were assessed. 00:03:25.304 --> 00:03:29.809 The Elbit AN/PVS-31D received the highest overall score 00:03:30.009 --> 00:03:33.713 at 4.15 meeting or exceeding expectations 00:03:33.713 --> 00:03:36.982 on all capability criteria except for thermal integration. 00:03:37.717 --> 00:03:41.687 Evaluators noted that the device can be easily adjusted, sits close to the face, 00:03:41.687 --> 00:03:46.292 allowing for covert operations and can use both lithium and alkaline batteries. 00:03:47.259 --> 00:03:49.762 Disadvantages included that the use of the thermal imager 00:03:49.762 --> 00:03:55.034 impacted both focusing ability and the use of the IR illuminator. 00:03:55.534 --> 00:03:58.738 The L3 Harris BNVD-1531 00:03:58.738 --> 00:04:01.607 received an overall score of 4.11. 00:04:01.907 --> 00:04:04.977 The device had the highest rating for the usability category, 00:04:04.977 --> 00:04:08.514 with evaluators finding the ability of being able to flip one lens up 00:04:08.748 --> 00:04:11.784 while still operating the other to be a benefit. 00:04:11.784 --> 00:04:13.886 Other advantages of this device included 00:04:13.886 --> 00:04:18.190 a single button to turn the device on or off the battery pack being included 00:04:18.190 --> 00:04:21.527 as a standard accessory and good light range operability. 00:04:22.027 --> 00:04:25.564 However, evaluators noted that the use of the thermal accessory cause 00:04:25.564 --> 00:04:27.600 shadowing and impacted depth perception. 00:04:29.535 --> 00:04:31.203 The ACTinBlack DTNVS 00:04:31.203 --> 00:04:33.772 received an overall score of 4.08 00:04:34.206 --> 00:04:36.475 and the highest rating in the capability category. 00:04:36.976 --> 00:04:39.111 Evaluators found the battery life and light 00:04:39.111 --> 00:04:42.281 range operability to meet or exceed all expectations. 00:04:42.915 --> 00:04:46.986 They also indicated that the DTNVS was intuitive and easy to use, 00:04:47.353 --> 00:04:51.757 although it was noted that light splash impacted the ability to operate covertly 00:04:51.891 --> 00:04:56.829 and the use of the thermal accessory impacted the quality of the image. 00:04:56.996 --> 00:05:01.300 Carson Industries BNVD received an overall score of 3.91. 00:05:01.867 --> 00:05:05.037 The BNVD received the highest scores in both the deployability 00:05:05.037 --> 00:05:08.140 and maintainability categories from the assessment evaluators. 00:05:09.908 --> 00:05:10.943 The device sat close to 00:05:10.943 --> 00:05:14.446 the face, resulting in a snug fit and the ability to operate covertly. 00:05:15.114 --> 00:05:17.716 Disadvantages included a reduction in image clarity 00:05:17.716 --> 00:05:20.419 when moving and when light sources were present. 00:05:21.186 --> 00:05:25.324 The number of buttons on the device, four, made it difficult to navigate the controls 00:05:25.324 --> 00:05:28.060 and the focus adjustment was coarse and slow to react. 00:05:29.428 --> 00:05:33.032 The PRG Defense NVG-51 received an overall score 00:05:33.065 --> 00:05:35.467 of 3.85. 00:05:36.568 --> 00:05:40.706 The NVG-51 has a polymer housing has a 51 degree field of view 00:05:40.706 --> 00:05:43.475 and can operate with one lens up and one lens down. 00:05:44.109 --> 00:05:46.478 Evaluators found that the mounting location for the thermal 00:05:46.478 --> 00:05:48.480 accessory was ideal. 00:05:48.480 --> 00:05:51.750 Disadvantages of the device included the image clarity being impacted 00:05:51.750 --> 00:05:55.587 by haloing and the IR illuminator button placement interfering with access 00:05:55.587 --> 00:06:00.292 to and the use of the focus knob. 00:06:00.292 --> 00:06:04.196 The Nightline Inc. RNVG received an overall score of 3.73. 00:06:04.630 --> 00:06:07.599 Evaluators were satisfied with the ruggedized metal housing, 00:06:07.933 --> 00:06:11.236 the air illuminators ability to provide strong, bright illumination 00:06:11.436 --> 00:06:12.805 over a wide area 00:06:12.805 --> 00:06:16.208 and that the thermal accessory placement did not impact focus adjustment. 00:06:17.476 --> 00:06:20.612 Disadvantages included digital pixelation and blur. 00:06:20.913 --> 00:06:21.880 Limited adjustments 00:06:21.880 --> 00:06:26.185 available to accommodate comfort and fit and convertness being impacted 00:06:26.185 --> 00:06:29.154 due to the lack of power cut off when the device was flipped up. 00:06:30.155 --> 00:06:33.892 This assessment was made possible by The National Urban Security Technology 00:06:33.892 --> 00:06:37.829 Laboratories System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders 00:06:37.829 --> 00:06:42.067 Program known as SAVER that provides information on commercially available 00:06:42.067 --> 00:06:45.103 technology and equipment that first responder agencies can use 00:06:45.103 --> 00:06:48.340 to make informed operational and procurement decisions. 00:06:49.274 --> 00:06:53.679 For more information on the SABER program and for access to more than 1,000 first 00:06:53.679 --> 00:07:00.585 responder focused reports, visit the SAVER Document Library. 00:07:00.585 --> 00:07:03.789 NUSTL thanks the assessment evaluators for their valuable time and expertise. 00:07:04.089 --> 00:07:06.758 Specifically, the Lake Havasu City Police Department, 00:07:07.292 --> 00:07:11.463 New Jersey State Police, New York City Police Department, and U.S. 00:07:11.463 --> 00:07:13.298 Customs and Border Protection. 00:07:13.298 --> 00:07:14.032 Their insights 00:07:14.032 --> 00:07:17.469 and recommendations will assist responder agencies making procurement decisions. 00:07:18.036 --> 00:07:20.739 Appreciation is also extended to the U.S. Army's Picatinny’s 00:07:20.739 --> 00:07:25.510 Arsenal Homeland Defense Training Facility for hosting the event.