Hands-free Operation in “No-visibility” Conditions
by Exigence Inc.

The introduction of night vision imaging promised a new capability for military, security and rescue units operating in low light.

Thermal sensitive systems even worked in no ambient light, in smoke or fog. The availability of man-carry and weapon sight versions of this technology allowed their wider use even down to the individual and small unit level. These systems include light intensification (I2) goggles, I2 or thermal imagers mounted to weapons, or handheld I2 and thermal devices. As welcome as their capability is each exhibits critical drawbacks. The majority of goggles are I2 systems that must have some minimal light to amplify. Generally most designs cover both eyes this causes vertigo, loss of depth perception and isolates the wearer from his own senses. Weapon sight imagers confine the user to viewing only where the weapon is pointed; he could be required to stop covering one threat to allow wider tactical surveillance. Handheld units require use of one or both hands and either have a viewer or eyepiece. Typically they are designed for stationary use and cannot easily be use while moving. A user cannot tasks other than viewing at the same time. They are less than ideal for many missions such as urban operations or confined space rescue.

Exigence Inc., working with military, police and rescue units, identified key needs which existing “night-vision” units did not address. Their goal was to perfect a no-light vision system that was completely hands free with no encumbering wires or special batteries, didn’t impede one’s normal vision, could quickly adaptable to a variety of situations, distances and field of views, compact, lightweight and simple to use, provided a better image quality, uses commercially available batteries and could be employed in a wide range of applications and tasks.

I-Vision design can be adapted to any helmet. Here it is fitted to a military combat helmet. The ballistic protection of the helmet is not effected

Exigence initiated concept design in 2002, with its first “I-Vision” Helmet Integrated Thermal Vision prototype completed in February 2003. In-field testing was conducted with Urban Search and Rescue teams, police department and security personnel, and selected military. The first model met 70% of the first responders’ criteria. Feedback from the field trials was incorporated in the system design. Unlike other I/R systems, I-Vision’s imager, battery pak, and components are mounted inside the actual helmet shell. It, thus, can be optimized in balance and stability while maintaining full water and dust resistant sealing. A pivoting lens and camera feature allows the camera and lens to pivot up and down for 40 degrees range of motion. A user can crawl through small openings with their head down while seeing ahead as if they are standing upright. Likewise any wearer can adjust the line-of-sight of the imager to their head attitude for comfortable use. A transmitter was also incorporated allowing video to be viewed and captured beyond the user.

The I -Vision design is proprietary, combining a high-resolution thermal viewer in a helmet with a reflex display that allows simultaneous IR and normal vision - significantly expanding the viewing spectrum. With this display the user maintains his natural senses, full depth perception, color, binocular and night vision. Being head/helmet mounted the thermal is always pointed where the wearer is looking. It is largely unaffected by vibration or shock and can be used while walking, running and even from a moving platform. It effectively allows performing any tasks, including search, surveillance or target engagement in any visibility, indoors, outdoors, day or night. It provides up to 10 hours of continuous operation with one set of commercial batteries. Offering enhanced capability, it sees through smoke and into shadows, is unaffected by lights, glare or flash. The nature of thermal vision means it can virtually "see-through" vegetation and provides for ready detection of not only persons but also any object that has even a slightly higher temperature than the surroundings.

I-Vision uniquely provides complete freedom in both observation and movement in real-time improving ones ability to move easily even in rough terrain and execute almost any task in complete darkness. It allows recognition of a man at 2-300 meters and vehicles at 600-800 in "no-visibility" conditions. By simply changing the imager lens an operator is able to change the field of view and performance in seconds to adapt to various situations, missions, and environments. For close situations like urban operations or confined space rescue a 50 mm wide-angle lens maximizes the view. A narrower FOV can then be fit for working in more open terrain. Incorporating an integrated wireless video transmission feature, I-Vision’s wearer is also able to send continuous video back to remote monitoring stations up to 200 m distant directly and 4-12 km using a small belt, vehicle or case retransmission units. It can be shared by multiple stations or retransmitted using special man portable units that link to cellular, SATCOM or other long distance networks. It is, thus, possible for commanders, supporting units or control stations to obtain a first hand perspective of the I-Vision wearer’s situation. Multiple I-Visions and other visual sensors can be monitored using options that are offered in the system.

Images from I-Visions can be monitored at portable remote stations through the wireless video capability integrated into the helmet unit.

I-Vision is flexible and, with its range of options and accessories, has proved ideally suited to meet a wide range of applications, situations and missions. User field experience have shown it ideally suited for security, patrol, surveillance, search, in hand weapons engagements, for small boat, ATV and vehicle driving and accurate crew served weapon firing, even on the move in rough terrain and on road. It can be used in dismounted operations but also on vehicles and boats, including by coxswains, weapon station gunners and in performing many routine tasks, including maintenance. In firing exercises from both moving vehicles and fast patrol boats machine gunners were able to detect, acquire and hit targets 5 times more quickly with substantially higher accuracy with I-Vision than when using weapon mounted night sights or Night Vision Goggles. Used at checkpoints or in searches it is often possible to visually detect hidden objects, weapons, and contraband at a distance on persons or vehicles.

Military security forces and convoy escorts have found I-Vision particularly valuable. Worn by HMMWV or truck gunners from the vehicle weapon station they provide a substantially more effective detection of potential threats both at night and daylight. The thermal sensitivity can also, at times, detect the signature of disturbed ground that can indicate mines and explosives. I-Vision also offers not only heads-up thermal observation but also accurate on-the-move target engagement. In this case the thermal unit can be either weapon or helmet mounted - with the monocular display in either. A wireless remote display can also be provided inside the vehicle, as well as, image retransmission to other vehicles, commanders and supporting bases. Gunners prefer I-Vision ability to provide both normal vision and thermal views, that it can be used in lighted environments, allows full color and depth perception, and full peripheral vision. I-Vision does not require a gunner to get down and aim though the weapon sight. He, instead, stays above the weapon, which is more comfortable in a rocking moving vehicle and offers a better overall view of the target and surroundings.

Employed dismounted I-Vision enhances the response capability of infantry, SWAT, security and rescue. Used in urban areas a wearer finds threats or targets five times more quickly and can see despite smoke, dust, glare of external lights, or shadows. In fact, it opens new options for using smoke and “flash-bangs” to greater tactical advantage. Since it needs no light at all I-Vision can be used in basements, rubble, caves, tunnels, subways and collapsed building. Being head/helmet mounted it is immediately responsive to the movements of the wearer. Field exercises and firing trials showed that a target can be rapidly and effectively engaged in close quarters with I-Vision. Unlike flashlights it is fully passive and does not expose or display the user. Booby-traps, trip-wires and other “nasty surprises” were also more readily detected. In a search and rescue trial rescuers were able to locate, treat and retrieve an unconscious, hidden victim in less than 5 minutes in a smoke filled 1 meter tunnel by using I-Vision. Without it could have taken 30-45 minutes or more.

In open terrain, forest, mountains, jungle and wilderness I-Vision offers significant advantages. Since it frees ones hands it is far easier to move in difficult terrain or to climb. Its thermal sensing highlights objects and particularly people often even when concealed or in shadow. As it is provides a continuous image the wearer can effectively scan as he moves both reducing the chance of being surprised and likely offering him the advantage of first detection and, thus, gaining the initiative. It also will allow a small unit leader to better track and control his personnel even in limited visibility, heavy cover, or smoke.

I-Vision can be integrated into a number of helmets including ballistic combat helmets, rescue helmets, combat vehicle (CVC) and aviation helmet. It, thus, has been demonstrated to offer unique operational capabilities and applications on a wide range of platforms. In the CVC it provides combat vehicle commanders a head-out all visibility surveillance, target acquisition, control and situational awareness capability comparable to that of vehicle FCS and mounted systems. He can now finally effectively command and fight his vehicle from out of the hatch, as has traditionally and remains the most effective. Response and reaction times, certainly of direction and control, and navigation and vehicle security are all improved night, day or any visibility condition.

I-Vision Combat Vehicle Crew helmet version allows vehicle commanders to observe and acquire targets while heads-out of his hatch in any visibility condition including smoke or dust. It enhances his control and ability to fight his vehicle.

The capabilities and benefits of I-Vision have also been shown on patrol boats where it proved unequalled for piloting in complete darkness even in restricted waters. Coxswains found that buoys, obstacles, floating debris and even wave action were readily observed. The monocle viewing allowed them to see navigation marker colored lights and standard instrument panels and charts. Plus, they had no concern that they might be blinded by shore or spot lights a major problem with image intensification systems. Boat weapon gunners also found I-Vision exceptional demonstrating in live firing that they could quickly detect, acquire, fire on and hit targets reliability even with the boat moving at high speed, in rough water, and impacting and rolling. Boat commanders also found it easier to maintain position and to track other boats and landmarks.

Small boat coxswain using I-Vision. Debris, navigation markers, and wave action could be easily observed while shore lights did not affect it.

The use of I-Vision by helicopter crew chiefs and door gunners has also been explored. In this use it enhances both threat detection and engagement as well as aircraft safety in landing zones by providing superior obstacle and zone clearance assessment. Aircrews would be able to detect and identify people on the ground as well as to identify and respond to hostile actions and fire. I-Vision is unaffected by the flash from door machine guns so crewmen observation is not hindered by the firing. By using the wireless video capability it is also possible to allow the pilot and co-pilot to monitor the views of the aircrew.
 
A number of common options are offered for I-Vision to provide added capability. These include a range of wireless video system capabilities from several meters to 10+ kilometers to worldwide. It can be limited to extremely close range for use, for example, with a weapon station with optional interior display. In additional, options for monitoring of 2, 4, 8 or more imagers from one base station are available. A small belt-mounted transmitter is also offered to extend the transmission range of the helmet imager. Other options include integrated heading reference, GPS, and voice transmission.

I-Vision’s helmet integrated thermal vision and wireless video transmission provides significant operational and tactical benefits for military, law enforcement, security and search and rescue. Its applications cover everything from routine security patrols to highly coordinated forced entry hostage rescue situations. It can be configured to any helmet type allowing its use for police, infantry, armored vehicle commanders, boat and helicopter crews and even all-terrain and motorcycles. It has demonstrated that it can be used to effectively engage targets with from a 9mm pistol to a .50 caliber heavy machine gun and to be able to do so while walking, running, or moving 50 kmph for a vehicle or patrol boat. By employing a monocular viewer I-Vision uniquely permits the wearer to retain nearly 100% all his normal senses. It’s designed to complement and enhance the abilities of the user and to tie him into a supporting network when desired with its wireless feature. As a result I-Vision of this and its demonstrated multifunctional capability many users have found that I-Vision has the ability to fill the mission needs of a wide range of users and applications in a single system. For the combat unit, police department, security force, or rescue team the resulting economy and on-the-ground flexibility are pronounced advantages.

I-Vision is in production and is fielded by a number of military, law enforcement, and rescue units both in the United States and a number of Asian countries.