Draft:AN/PVS-31
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|  |
| AN/PVS-31 Binocular Night Vision Device | |
|---|---|
 Service member wearing an AN/PVS-31 in the “low stow” position | |
| Type | Helmet mounted binocular image intensifier and thermal imager combination |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Category | Military |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2019–present |
| Used by | U.S. Army[1], SOCOM[2] (PVS-31A) U.S. Air Force (PVS-31C)[2] |
| Wars | War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Operation Inherent Resolve Russian Invasion of Ukraine |
| Production history | |
| Designer | L3Harris |
| Manufacturer | L3Harris( PVS-31A and C) Elbit Systems of America (SBNVG) |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | <1 lb without batteries |
The AN/PVS-31 Binocular Night Vision Device (BNVD) is a third-generation passive binocular night vision device developed for SOCOM by L3Harris.
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Development
[edit]In accordance with the Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS), the "AN/PVS-31" designation represents the 31st design of an Army-Navy electronic device for portable vision system equipment. The JETDS system also now is used to name all Department of Defense electronic systems.
Design and features
[edit]The AN/PVS-31 features two image intensification tubes and a AA-battery tube on a side articulating bridge, which can be connected to the standard Rhino II dovetail mount, like all of the U.S.'s other currently fielded night vision goggles.[2]
It can be used with an optional battery pack holding four additional batteries.[2] This can be mounted on the back of the helmet, which shifts the center mass of an equipped helmet toward the wearer's neck, resulting in a more ergonomic balance and reducing neck strain, especially in the prone.
Like the AN/PSQ-42, the ENVG-B features articulation allowing the user to simply move one or both eyepieces to the side for a "low-profile stow" position while the Rhino mount itself allows the user to also flip the entire bridge upwards for a a higher stow.[2]
A gain control knob is centrally mounted on the bridge of the goggle housing. Both the eyepieces and objective lenses are capable of affixing a protective sacrificial lens, and the objective lenses have removable protective rubber caps, including caps with pinholes for use in daytime.[4]
Variants
[edit]Three primary variants exist in use with the U.S. Military.
The PVS-31A is the most common, used by the U.S. Army and available to all SOCOM elements. It is referred to internally by L3Harris as the "BNVD-1531."
The PVS-31C is the same product, with the same specifications and tubes[2] but is primarily used by the U.S. Air Force.
The SBNVG is the standard issue night vision device of the U.S. Marine Corps. It is built by Elbit Systems of America off of a model internally referred to as the PVS-31D, similar to the other models but featuring an additional IR illuminator for reading maps and the like, using tubes provided by THEON, then fitted with an Optics-1 ECOTI ("Enhanced Clip-On Thermal Imager"), designated the AN/PAS-29, on the right eyepiece to provide a dual-band thermal and night vision fusion, unlike the other two. The ECOTI has a small arm that wraps around to the front of the eyepiece and projects what it “sees” directly through the front lens, creating a near-perfect overlay of thermal vision over a rectangular area in the center of the view through the right eyepiece.[5][6][7][8]
Operational history
[edit]The AN/PVS-31 was initially exclusively used by SOCOM before the same model was purchased by the U.S. Army.[9]
In U.S. Army usage they are used both for helicopter aircrews, like the older AN/VIS-6 and -9, and by ground units like the older PVS-14 monocular. In this role, they serve alongside the AN/PSQ-42.
References
[edit]- ↑ Sgt. Poleski, David. "U.S. Army Door Gunner checks his night vision goggles". DVIDSHub. DVIDS. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Binocular Night Vision Device (BNVD) AN/PVS-31A". L3Harris. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- ↑ Gonzales, Matt. "Marines test new night vision goggles in realistic setting". Marines. MCSC Office of Public Affairs and Communication. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- ↑ Sotovilla, Raul. "31st MEU Marines innovate night vision attachments". dvidshub. DVIDS.
- ↑ "Lightweight Night Vision Binocular - AN/PVS-31D". Elbit America. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- ↑ "THEON Supports New Delivery Order for U.S. Marine Corps Squad Binocular Night Vision Goggles (SBNVG) Program". THEON. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- ↑ "Squad Binocular Night Vision Goggle". Elbit America. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- ↑ C, Nicholas. "FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: COTI (Clip-On Thermal Imager)". TheFirearmBlog. TFB. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
- ↑ "Justification and Approval (J&A) 22-3434 Binocular Night Vision Device (BNVD) Kits" (PDF). USSOCOM. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
See also
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Category:Night vision devices Category:Military electronics of the United States