Export of U.S. manufactured night vision equipment is strictly prohibited without a valid export license issued by the U.S. Department of State Office of Defense Trade Controls, in accordance with International Traffic in Arms (ITAR), Title 22, Code of Federal Regulations Part 120-130, and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Product Specifications

ITT Pinnacle Image Intensifier Tube - Thin-Filmed/Auto-Gated

High resolution 64 lp/mm (Typ), high gain and high photoresponse in visible and near infrared

Variable Gain Control for enhanced performance in altering light conditions

Camera and video adaptable

Multi-functional: helmet-mountable, head-mountable, hand-held and weapons-mountable

Standard Accessories

Head Mount Assembly - Allows for hands-free operation

Brow Pad - Changeable pad for secure head mount fit

Helmet/Head Mount Adapter - Allows the user to position the monocular in front of either eye

Eye Cup - Prevents the emission of stray light or facial reflections

System Soft Carrying Case - Provides convenient storage of NEPVS-14 and accessories

Unit Soft Carrying Case - Provides convenient storage of NEPVS-14

Shoulder Strap - Attaches to the NEPVS-14 carrying case for easy portability

Lens Paper - Used to lightly clean the objective and eyepiece glass surfaces

Day Light Filter- Filters excessive light. Protects objective lens from the elements

Diopter Lens Cap - Protects diopter lens from the elements

Operator's Manual - Instructional users guide

Batteries - Two (2)AA. (includes one (1) spare).

Optional Accessories

3-in-1 Magnifier Lens

3x Mil-Spec Magnifier Lens

5x Mil-Spec Magnifier Lens

10x Magnifier Lens

VIP IR Signal Beacon - Dual Function

IR Laser Stick - Dual Function

Guardian IR Flashing Marker

Guardian IR Mockingbird Marker

IR Illuminator - Handheld

Camera Adapter Assembly

Step Up/Down Kit

Helmet Mount Assembly PASGT

Helmet Mount Assembly MICH

Aimpoint® CompM2-M4 Series Weapons Sights

Eotech Holosight 550 Series Weapons Sights

Monoloc Universal Adapter

Monoloc Bushing #12

EOLAD Series Laser Aiming Devices

DBAL Series Laser Aiming Devices

OTAL Series Laser Aiming Devices

ITAL Series Laser Aiming Devices

ARMS #M69 Adjustable Throw Lever Mount

GG&G QD Multi-Flex High Mount

Shipping & Storage Case

SKB Mil-Standard Hard Case

Combat Carrying Case w/Molle-Loks

Demist Shield

Sacrificial Window

Magnetic Compass

ITT NEPVS-14. ITT Night Vision, the world's leading producer of Generation (Gen) 3 night vision devices, introduces the new Night Enforcer® NEPVS-14 Pinnacle Monocular Night Vision Device (MNVD). The multi-functional NEPVS-14 light-weight, single-battery, battle-proven design features the latest auto-gated, thin-filmed Pinnacle image intensifier tube technology as well as variable gain control allowing the user to increase of decrease image tube brightness for greater image contrast in varying light conditions. Designed for the most demanding military and law enforcement applications, the NEPVS-14 can be handheld, head mounted, helmet-mounted, weapons-mounted, and adapted to a camera or camcorder.

Specifications
Generation	3 U.S. (ITT Pinnacle)
Resolution	64 lp/mm (Typ)
Film	Thin-Film
Gate	Auto-Gated
Brightness Gain	Adjustable from 25 to more than 3000 fL/fL
Magnification	1x
Field of View	40 degrees
Objective Lens	f/1.2
Eyepiece Lens	EFL 26mm
Diopter Adjustment	+4 to -6
Range of Focus	25cm to infinity
Voltage Required	1.5 Volts
Battery Type	One (1) AA size
Battery Life	Approx. 50 hrs. at room temp.
Weight	12.4 oz. (351.53 grams)
Dimensions	4.5" (L) x 2" (W) x 2.25" (H)
Operating Temperature	-51 degrees C to +49 degrees C
Storage Temperature	-51 degrees C to +49 degrees C
System Warranty	Three (3) years
Intensifier	Tube
Warranty	Five (5) years

With over a thousand hours logged on target as part of Special Operations in the Global War On Terror (GWOT) I can say to the reader with absolute certainty that the night vision equipment US/NATO forces use gives them a distinct advantage over the enemy. There is one major caveat to this though; without logging training hours under the “green tube”, the technologies' effectiveness is greatly reduced.

The PVS-14 monocular night vision was used not predominantly but solely as a helmet attachment and was never used in combat as a weapon mounted configuration. This is its most successful configuration for my unit but it does not mean that a weapon mounted PVS-14 won’t work in combat for others (more on that later). It is a matter of personal preference and/or directives received from above. Although there is a "skull crusher" attachment as it was dubbed, the helmet mount was the only one used because besides your boots and weapon system, your helmet was your most important piece of equipment. That being said, as leaders, you must know that proper swing arm and mounts are just as important to the equipment’s use as batteries. Operators must ensure that their mounts are properly fixed to their helmets and that the swing arms from which the PVS-14 hang from are adjusted to depth and eye level, especially if they are wearing civilian eyewear (for example, a law enforcement officer who wears his/her own glasses on duty). Too close to the eye can make the equipment fog up (although some Rain-Ex type solution helps on both ends of the equipment and is strongly recommended).

Now that the equipment is properly mounted to the front of the helmet, the second thing is making sure the helmet fits properly. The times of the sloppy, John Wayne movies, no chin strap helmet are over. Today's tactically proficient operators have their helmets buttoned up tight and ready for whatever the situation calls for. This includes operating at night in the IR spectrum and utilizing your PVS-14 night vision. Make sure the helmets are fitted to wear both with and without your night vision. I would recommend leaving a snap mount in place and attaching the PVS-14 to the swing arm and leaving it in a readily accessible place on your kit. You may also want to create a counter weight for the back of your helmet using extra batteries. This serves two purposes: The first is to have a place to store extra batteries and also to prevent the weight of the equipment from making your helmet slide down over the bridge of your nose. Nothing screams louder than a "new guy operator wannabe” more than someone continually pushing their helmet and night vision back on top of their head after a quick sprint. A good operator always has a good tie-down in place for sensitive items such as night vision devices (that have serial numbers).

Although I personally never used the PVS-14 in its weapon mounted configuration it can have its uses there. In an over-watch situation in a poorly lit area it can be effective. Just make sure the operators are familiar shooting with the equipment and that it is properly sighted with a laser. Combined with a AN/PEQ-2 or AN/PEQ-5 laser against an enemy with no night vision capabilities, an operator and his PVS-14 can be nearly unstoppable.

Back to my original point. Operators need to understand that this equipment is not a magical cure-all for the difficulties of night time operations. It is not a magic wand that lets users see in the dark, but rather a force multiplier, if proficient in its use. Operators MUST log hours using and training with the equipment. Do not be a poor leader and let your men take night vision devices out of the box, put some batteries in them, turn them on and off and then put them away until "they need them". They always need them, because although it may be daylight they must be ready to operate in all conditions, at all times, in an ever vigilant state. I would recommend at the least 40 hours under the green tube before they are qualified to use their equipment proficiently. Take the equipment to the range and shoot with it under various conditions: inside, outside, helmet mounted and weapon mounted, sprinting, stopping. In SOCOM we say that "that's where we operate, in the IR spectrum". With good training your operators should be able to say the same. To illustrate how strongly this is engrained, I will tell a quick story.

In my former unit, all new soldiers, when we were training at night with the PVS-14, had to keep their night vision on and over their eyes from the beginning of training to the end. This causes some complaining for those of you who don't know how painful your Kevlar helmet can be after a few hours. More senior soldiers would pop their helmets off between iterations and have a chat before putting their "brain buckets" back on and continuing training. One highly motivated soldier in particular went so far as to leave his helmet and PVS-14 on after training and wear it all the way to the chow hall before he was admonished with a few quick pushups and told to return and take it off!

In closing, the PVS-14 can be a highly effective piece of equipment. As leaders though, you must ensure that it is fitted properly and that its users train using the equipment. Remember to TRAIN LIKE YOU FIGHT AND FIGHT LIKE YOU TRAIN!

- The author of this article remains anonymous. He is a combat veteran who recently got out of serving in one of the U.S. Army Ranger Regiments. He currently is being assigned to another U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) unit.