AN/PVS-5

The AN/PVS-5 is a dual-tube night-vision goggle used for aviation and ground support. It uses second-generation image-intensifier tubes which are poor for today's standards. The United States Army still has PVS-5 on supply but are very rarely used. The AN/PVS-5 is based on the SU-50 which was a first-generation night-vision goggle adapted by the United States Air Force in 1971. From 1972 until 1990 the AN/PVS-5 was the mainstay in United States Army night vision for aviation. The AN/PVS-5C was not approved for flight because of its auto-gated feature causing the goggle to shut off in bright light. For ground troops the AN/PVS-5 was the sole night-vision goggle until the adaptation of the improved AN/PVS-7.

AN/PVS-5
TypePassive
Place of originUnited States of America
CategoryHead/helmet mountable
Service history
In service1972–present[1]
Used byUnited States Armed Forces
WarsVietnam War
Gulf War
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Production history
Designed1971
ManufacturerITT Industries
Litton Industries
VariantsAN/PVS-5, AN/PVS-5A, AN/PVS-5B, AN/PVS-5C
Specifications
Weight850 grams
Dimensions (L×H×W)6.5" x 6.8" x 4.7"
Resolution (lp/mm)>20 lp/mm
Mode of OperationPassive
II tubeMX-9916
Field of vision40 degrees
Range of detection50m (Starlight) 150m (Moonlight)
System zoom
Generation2

By today's standards the PVS-5 was a real safety risk for pilots, issues such as a limited field of view, poor light amplification, inability to read maps, and its excessive weight made it difficult to fly while operating them. In 1982 tests were being made for a suitable replacement for the AN/PVS-5 specifically for aviation, this led to the adaptation of the AN/AVS-6 ANVIS in 1989. The ANVIS was the first night-vision goggle used by the United States Army specifically designed for aviation.

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

The variant model, AN/PVS 5a, is more commonly recognized for its appearance in the 1984 comedy film, Ghostbusters. The goggles were fitted with special camera lenses, in order to give the appearance of a device used for hunting spectral entities, rather than military equipment. They reappeared in the film’s 1989 sequel, Ghostbusters II, although they were slightly altered by the production team. As well as the camera lenses being added to the eyepieces, two pieces from a German Panzer tank model were applied to the front.

References


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