Human Factors of Night Vision Device Use in Southwest Asia: Reports of Sensory Illusions and Other Adverse Effects
Abstract
To identify the variety of sensory illusions experienced by aircrews flying with night vision devices (NVDs) in Southwest Asia, an open-ended questionnaire was distributed to Army aviation units while deployed in the fall of 1990 and upon return to home station in the spring of 1991. Eighty-seven questionnaires were returned. In 85 of the incidents reported, aviators were using the AN/AVS-6 Aviator's Night Vision Imaging System (ANVIS). Two AH-64 pilots were using a thermal imaging system (FLIR). Most of the sensory events were experienced during good weather, over open- desert terrain, during low levels of ambient illumination. Events occurred during all phases of flight but most frequently in cruise, low level, and during approach/landing. Degraded visual cues accounted for more than half of all reports, with loss of visual horizon and degraded resolution most frequently mentioned. Other common illusions were misjudgments of height above open desert terrain, undetected aircraft drift, and errors in judging closure rates. These first-hand reports can be used to better prepare aviators to fly at night, in a desert environment, and reduce safety risks.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 02, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA372962
Entities
People
- Daniel T. Fitzpatrick
Organizations
- United States Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center