The Latest from Cactus Tactical: Weapons of the War in Afghanistan: Individual Night Observation Devices (NODs), Part II

Weapons of the War in Afghanistan

In the world of war, weapons and technology are ever changing, each war is characterized by the weapons and tactics used to fight it. As new environments and enemies are encountered, the parties to those wars develop new - more effective tactics, technologies, and weapons to counter and defeat their adversaries. The ingenuity seen in war has existed since (and most certainly before) the first wars of recorded history and continue to this very day.

Keeping with that theory, let’s take a look at the weapons that have characterized the wars and conflicts that the United States has been a party to over the course of it’s history. During the course of this series, I aim to breakdown the weapons used in each conflict by their classification, and to which party they were employed by. Having served in combat operations in Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley, I would like to start our series with the War in Afghanistan.

For our eighteenth installment let's take a look the most common individual Night Observation Devices (NODs) used in the War in Afghanistan.

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Part II - The United States

AN/AVS-6

The AN/AVS-6 Aviator’s Night Vision imaging System (ANViS) is a third-generation, helmet-mounted, direct-view, image-intensification device. It enables Aviators to operate more effectively and safely during lowlight and degraded battlefield conditions.

The low-light sensitivity represents a 35 to 40 percent improvement over the earliest ANVIS. Additionally, the gated power supply enables operation at significantly higher light levels than any of the previous designs. The ANVIS is capable of operating for 22 hours on two (2) AA Alkaline batteries and 34 hours on two Lithium AA batteries. The Low Profile Power Pack (LPPP) encompasses a primary and alternate capability, which allows Aviators to access a safety backup (alternate) of two additional AA batteries.

Weight (maximum): 1.3 pounds with batteries. Magnification: 1x Operational time: 22 or 34 hours, depending on battery type. Power: Low-profile battery pack or from aircraft-supplied power.

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AN/AVS-7(V)

The AN/AVS-7(V) Heads-Up Display (HUD) takes aircraft data from numerous sensors and converts it to graphic files. This provides critical operational information superimposed as symbology onto the image the pilot sees through the ANVIS. The HUD minimizes the need for Pilots to examine cockpit instrument data, thus providing increased situational awareness outside the aircraft. The HUD system consists of the A-kit, which is the wiring harnesses, mounting brackets, and some additional sensors such as air data transducers, inclinometers, and thermocouple amps. A B-Kit, which consists of one CV4229(V) X/ AVS-7 signal data converter; one C-12293/ AVS-7 converter control unit; and two SU-180/AVS-7 display units. There is also an improved night flat-panel display unit, which can replace the cathode ray tube SU180s on the legacy platforms. In addition, there is a day flat panel display to give additional situational awareness capabilities. Both flat panel displays can plug and play with legacy systems.

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AN/PVS-30

The AN/PVS-30 Clip-on Sniper Night Sight (CoSNS) is a lightweight, in-line weapon-mounted sight used in conjunction with the day optic sight on the M110 SASS and the M2010 ESR. It employs a variable gain image tube Snipers can adjust depending on ambient light levels. When used in conjunction with the M110 and M2010 day optical sight, it provides for personnel-sized target recognition at quarter moon illumination in clear air to a range of 600 meters. The CoSNS has an integrated rail adapter that interfaces directly to the MIL-STD-1913 rail for quick and easy mounting to or dismounting from the weapon.

The CoSNS allows a Sniper to maintain the current level of accuracy with the M110 and to deliver precise fire within 1 minute of angle. Use of the CoSNS does not affect the zero of the day optical sight and allows the M110 and the M2010 to maintain bore sight throughout the focus range of the CoSNS and the M110 and M2010 day optical sight.

Weight: < 3.5 pounds Man-sized target recognition: ≥ 600 meters Focus range: 25 meters to infinity Power: One AA Battery Operational Time: 30 hours on one AA lithium battery. (Battery life dependent on temperature)

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