Power Efficient Digital Binocular Night Vision Imaging System (PEDBNVIS)

Air Force aviators and special operators currently rely on proven, but decades-old, analog night vision equipment, to enable our air and ground superiority at night. More recently, digital situation awareness capabilities have been merged into night vision systems in the form of various “clip on” concepts, a crude but effective way to bring augmented reality (AR) features such as symbology, navigation and targeting information, and even remote real-time video links, into the operator’s awareness, essentially by looking through two displays at the same time. This solution is far from optimal, and to date has required pilots to use two different helmet systems, one for night, and another for day. These overlay symbology generators add size, weight, and power (SWaP) to the aviator’s head, in particular pushing the analog binocular forward and increasing neck strain at night, and for all this only provide a 30°x22.5° of situation awareness overlay. What is needed is a single system that does all of this. Perceptive Innovations, Inc. (PI2) is pleased to offer AFRL this proposed solution for the important Binocular Night Vision Imaging System (PEDBNVIS) requirement. In this Phase I proposed effort we will conduct trade studies leading to component selection and definition of a PEDBNVIS architecture and preliminary design plan for Phase II. At the end of this 6-month study, and after Air Force and operator feedback, we will project performance with respect to all program metrics and present a plan to build and deliver two prototype PEDBNVIS systems in Phase II. A roadmap will be produced for other potential solutions, along with the path for all to producibility, supportability, and eventually production units.