Night vision on tanks (P)

Night vision (NV) is a military development. It was kept secret for a long time and used exclusively for military purposes. These technologies were introduced into the work of various military equipment, the most popular of which are tanks. Combining these combat vehicles with the NV made it possible to conduct night operations that took the enemy by surprise and gave them a significant advantage over him.

Information from history

The history of night vision on tanks began in 1942-1943. It was then that the German troops, waging a bloody world war, got the opportunity to equip their military equipment with NV devices. These devices were most often installed on modern, at that time, tanks, which were produced in huge numbers. This combination of combat vehicles and NV technologies could have been more effective since, at that time, night vision was just in its infancy. Despite this, the German troops received a particular advantage, helping them win essential battles. They upgraded their NV devices in the subsequent war years, but significant progress still needed to be made.

After the end of the war, the Center for the Development of NV Technologies moved to the United States. The Americans quickly mastered captured equipment and created their models based on it. They turned out to be better, more efficient, and more convenient. At the same time, such optics were installed on tanks only for experimental purposes. A few years later, an active arms race began between the USA and the USSR at the height of the Cold War. This led both parties to resume developments in NV technologies. They were equipped with various military equipment, trying to create more deadly combat vehicles capable of performing assigned tasks at any time of the day. Gradually, this combination became more popular, and the armies of other countries began to use it. The leaders in using NV on tanks are the USA, Germany, France, Great Britain, and Israel. Japan, China, and South Korea also have well-known developments in this direction. Further modernization of tanks and NV united them forever, and today, it is impossible to imagine military equipment without the ability to see at night. In the future, this combination will become even more in demand and be used on all types of military equipment.

Night vision on modern tanks

Night vision and tanks have long been “friends.” Modern models of this military equipment are real works of art capable of performing combat missions at any time of the day. NV devices play an essential role in their work. The new tanks use several NVDs at once. The most popular are thermal scopes, with which you can easily detect a target even in complete darkness and accurately aim a gun at it. Also, monoculars, night vision binoculars, and many other similar optics are available to the crew of modern tanks. Each device has its purpose and is used when a particular situation arises.

The leaders in implementing NV technologies in the military industry are the Americans. It equips various combat vehicles with modern NVDs, making them versatile and capable of effectively performing tasks day and night. The best in this regard are the Abrams tanks. They are an ideal technique that is equally useful in any external conditions. In the process of using NV technologies in the military sphere, Germany also succeeded. Its famous Leopard tanks are equipped with modern equipment, which includes a thermal imaging sight or a classic night vision sight (depending on the model and tasks for which the tank is being designed). Such military equipment is comparable in some respects to the American Abrams. Therefore, it can no less effectively perform combat missions at night. Another famous tank using NV technology is the Leclerc. This French combat vehicle comes in several models, each equipped with NVDs. In most cases, such a tank has night vision devices and a thermal imaging channel for the gunner and commander. This makes it worthwhile when performing the most difficult tasks in the dark.

The most valuable NVDs used on most modern tanks is the TV. It enables the crew to quickly identify enemy equipment and manpower even in difficult weather conditions, with heavy smoke or in complete darkness. Such optics always have the maximum possible range, thanks to which military equipment and soldiers can be detected from a very long distance. This feature eliminates the possibility of a surprise attack and gives the crew time to prepare. In addition, thermal imaging optics helps to identify various obstacles on the way, even in the absence of lighting.

The future of NV on tanks

To date, NV has yet to reach the peak of its development. It is constantly being improved, becoming more popular and widely used. The same can be said about tanks. This military equipment regularly receives various updates that make it as reliable as possible and able to perform new combat missions. All of the above leaves NV on tanks in the list of promising areas that will be developed for a long time.

Shortly, more versatile devices may appear that can be used on any military equipment. Such optics will make it possible to carry out operations in any environment, regardless of the time of day, weather conditions, or the situation on the battlefield. Also, the functionality of devices installed on tanks will expand in the future. This will make simple those tasks, the implementation of which is now only a dream.

For many years, night vision has been an integral part of the work of tanks. It allows military personnel to see the events taking place on the battlefield, as well as to detect the equipment and manpower of the enemy. With the help of NV, you can also improve the quality of aiming and increase the accuracy of shooting. In the modern world, this technology is indispensable, and it is only possible to imagine new models of tanks with it. It is being improved in parallel with the modernization of combat vehicles, creating a truly effective combination of military equipment and modern technologies.