AN/PVS-5 explained

The AN/PVS-5 is a dual-tube night-vision goggle used for aviation and ground support. It uses second-generation image-intensifier tubes. 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 US Army night vision for aviation. The AN/PVS-5C was not approved for flight because of its high-light cut off 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. Photographic evidence from Operation Eagle Claw shows US military personnel at Desert One in Iran using in the AN/PVS-5 NVGs.

By today's standards the PVS-5 was a 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.

See Also

• List of military electronics of the United States

Notes and References

1. Web site: McLean . William E. . Rash . Clarence E. . McEntire . Joseph . Braithwaite . Malcolm G. . Mora . John C. . A Performance History of AN/PVS-5 and ANVIS Image Intensification Systems in U.S. Army Aviation (Reprint) . U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory . 10 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20041018160545/http://www.usaarl.army.mil/TechReports/98-28.PDF . 18 October 2004 . May 1998.