Continuing with the the previous week’s narrative of use, potential modularity and general candidacy of the PVS-14 as a modular and scalable night vision device, a simple crayon explanation should be used as a common example of the device.

Modifying or upgrading a device needs to begin with understanding it, the key components, how they bind the device together, what they do, and what the practical cost are. As stated correctly, “the enemy of better is good enough”. This is a statement that needs to be regarded and examined thoroughly. 

The enclosed image is a poor mans exploded view of the key components of the PVS-14 monocular with relative commercial costs referenced. These costs are general and vary with the source and quantity, but were taken from the web today for a baseline reference. In this reference, please take a look at which articles drive major costs, are key features (or should/should not be) and may be potentially focus items for enhancement. Several items such as screws, o-rings and lens caps have been deleted for discussion. 

As you can see, many components on the PVS-14 are relatively inexpensive, although critical to its performance. Selective replacement of components can result in increased performance for a fraction of the cost of a new system. In the image you can clearly divide the components into electrical (typically serialized and complex) and non-electrical (less expensive and generally user adjustable).

By comparison, the M4 rifle is a solid although different technology. It has evolved from the M16A1 into recent form, then resulted into numerous sub-versions in the past few years. When the M16 service version was fielded, the key (not initial) improvements which drove the rifle into its changes of calibers, accuracy/ammunition improvements were highly influenced by a key addition. 

Night Vision Redux is a weekly series prepared with the assitance of DEP, the US subsidiary of Photonis. It is intended to educate readers about image intensification (I2) systems and ways they can be upgraded without having go purchase comoletely new systems.

This is the first installment in a series, being prepared with the assistance of DEP, the US subsidiary of Photonis, which will discuss how a standard AN/PVS-14 Night Vision Monocular can be upgraded to be not only lighter, but more powerful and more robust.  Potential upgrades also integrate improved optic lenses as well as tubes, which not only work during the day, but also see out of band. By the time we are finished, you’ll see how you can upgrade the standard PVS-14 seen on the left of this photo to the PVS-14+ to the right, at a lower cost than purchasing yet another new NVG.

The last 15 years or so have brought significant and well needed improvements to the US service arsenal, in the form of both new as well as the improved versions of the various instruments of combat/survival.

Terminology such as multi-role, multi-mission and the modularity axiom are widely used, along with the “SWaP-C” acronym, nearly to the point of fault in many instances. Surface ships are in-fact now modular, as are sub-surface craft. Airframes are now in a sense modular (or common) as are the most individually focused articles such as weapons, holsters and of course personal issue items. Adding to the concept of modular or configurable is that of scalable. More so than modular, moving things around or taking components on/off, scaling allows one to use what’s most required without the potential grief of having too much, or too little, capability or functionality. This is the KISS-effect, in action.

One of the areas that has traditionally not been modularized is individual optics. Optics are a little tougher to contend with in a non-permanent format, particularly Electro-Optics (EO). EO, and even Day View Optics (DVO) have evolved to be very versatile, and multi-mission, adapted to applications in various environments. What they tend to lack is much of the aforementioned modularity, and surely scalability. More troublesome is repairability. If it breaks, it’s generally going home; a long way away. There is very little an armorer or operator can do locally for sick EO, or DVO devices. Fortunately, DVOs in most cases are very robust and usually affordable enough to replace in the AOR, that they provide a useful, affordable lifespan. Additionally, if push comes to shove, operators can rely on back up iron sights or an aiming light.

An exception, the individual night vision workhorse of the US military (and many others) is the legacy AN/PVS-14 Night Vision Monocular. An interesting study, this monocular was fielded just before the Global War On Terror began. As of today, it remains in service in many of the same organizations whom early adopted it, but without the upgrades, enhancements or modifications other equipment has received.

In the next few weeks the descriptives of modularity, scaling, multi-mission and near-to-user repair will be addressed to evaluate if the over 1,000,000 service PVS-14s can be improved and utilized in ways other systems have been over the last decade.