AN/PVS-7

AN/PVS-7
An early version of the AN/PVS-7B goggle
Type	Passive/Active
Place of origin	United States
Category	Head-mountable
Service history
In service	1988–present[1]
Used by	United States Armed Forces Philippine Army Argentine Army Canadian Forces Australian Army
Wars	United States invasion of Panama Persian Gulf War War in Afghanistan Iraq War
Production history
Designer	ITT Industries Litton Industries[2]
Designed	1982
Manufacturer	ITT Industries Litton Industries Northrop Grumman L3 Communications Armasight, Inc
Variants	AN/PVS-7A, AN/PVS-7B, AN/PVS-7C, AN/PVS-7D
Specifications
Weight	680 grams
Dimensions (L×H×W)	5.8" x 3.1" x 6.1"
Resolution (lp/mm)	>64 lp/mm
Tube form factor	18mm
Field of vision (°)	40 degrees
Range of detection	325m (Starlight)
Range of recognition	225m (Starlight)
System zoom	1×
Generation	2 or 3

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.

They were designed to replace the older AN/PVS-5 from the Vietnam War.[3] Though slowly being phased out by the AN/PVS-14, the AN/PVS-7 is still being used by the United States Armed Forces with hundreds of thousands in service.[2]

The designation AN/PVS translates to Army/Navy Portable Visual Search, according to Joint Electronics Type Designation System guidelines.

Users

•  Argentina: Used by Argentine Army.
•  Australia
•  Canada
•  Philippines
•  United States
•  Croatia: Seen in several recent exhibitions.

References

1. Pike, John. "AN/PVS-7 Night Vision Goggle". FAS Military Analysis Network. Archived from the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
2. "Night Vision History". Armasight.com. Archived from the original on 2018-07-21. Retrieved 2013-08-17.
3. "A Performance History of AN/PVS-5 and ANVIS Image Intensification Systems in U.S. Army Aviation" (PDF). Usaarl.mil. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-11-14. Retrieved 2013-08-17.

See Also

• Joint Electronics Type Designation System – Unclassified designation system for United States military electronic equipment
• List of military electronics of the United States