Elbit Systems wins $29M contract for US Army night vision goggles

21 Jun 2021

New black and white display will replace green image intensifiers; monochrome now seen as more natural, says Elbit.

Elbit Systems, headquartered in Haifa, Israel, has announced that its U.S. subsidiary, Elbit Systems of America has been awarded two orders with an aggregate value of approximately $29 million by the U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office Soldier under a contract first issued in 2020.

Under the orders, Elbit Systems of America will upgrade the U.S. Army active duty and National Guard rotary-wing aviation units’ AN/AVS-6 Aviator’s Night Vision Imaging Systems with high performance white phosphor image intensifier tubes.

The night vision upgrade to the U.S. Army fleet’s legacy ANVIS goggles will replace the existing green image intensification.

The orders will be executed from the Elbit Systems of America facility in Roanoke, Virginia, with deliveries through September 2021.

Black and white advantages

White phosphor is said to enhance the ANVIS goggles as it presents visuals in black and white detail, which may appear more natural to the eye, says the developer.

The new image intensification tubes will also provide better contrast, along with high image resolution at greater distances for pilots.

Raanan Horowitz, President and CEO of Elbit Systems of America, commented, “U.S. Army pilots can successfully achieve their mission and fly with confidence in any light conditions.

“Upgrading the U.S. Army aviation fleet’s goggles to high performance white phosphor will provide improved clarity.

“Whether soldiers are on the ground or in the air, our team is committed to providing advanced capabilities to the U.S. Army to suit their evolving night vision needs.”