Company Profile – DRS Night Vision Systems
DRS Night Vision Systems is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Thermal Imaging, Night Vision, Combat Identification and Laser Aiming products
Nioa Defence proudly represents DRS Night Vision Systems (NVS). Night Vision Systems (NVS), a DRS Technologies Company is based in Allentown, Pennsylvania with Engineering and Manufacturing located in Prescott Valley, Arizona. NVS specializes in the sale of night vision technologies and products for military, security and public safety and for federal, state and local governments.
NVS has been in business for over 30 years and employs approximately 110 people. DRS Technologies acquired NVS (then NVEC) in December 2004.
NVS is focused on maintaining rapid delivery of high quality, unique products and services to meet customer needs. NVS prides itself on being able to offer customers the right solution to meet their need, whether it is night vision, thermal imaging, low lux cameras, lasers or combat identification. NVS offers a large catalogue of numerous products in each category for a variety of customers and applications. Only the highest quality partners and components are used, assuring customers receive the best product available.
NVS is continually focused on providing rapid delivery of high quality products and services. With unsurpassed customer support, NVS offers some of the quickest delivery times in the industry. Under the GSA Schedule, NVS makes it easy for government customers to order products.NVS also offers products on the Department of Defense (DOD) EMALL and offers a number of products through Long Term Contracts.
Additional information may be found at: http://www.nightvisionsystems.com/
Thermal Imaging
Thermal imaging is a heat-sensing technology that can see in complete darkness. Thermal imaging is ideal for night time applications and can immediately detect suspicious activity or targets in complete darkness with no illumination required. Thermal technology can see through dust and smoke and can greatly enhance visibility through fog and rain. Typical applications for thermal include covert tactical operations, surveillance, reconnaissance, search and rescue and perimeter security to name a few.
Fixed Surveillance Cameras
NVS offers a multitude of fixed position surveillance and security camera solutions. Fixed cameras are ideal for perimeter security, border patrol, routine fence line monitoring, intruder detection and alarm and much more. In today’s world, dependable surveillance solutions are key to providing complete visibility of critical infrastructure such as ports, petrochemical plants, nuclear facilities, manufacturing plants, oil and gas refineries and public transportation. NVS offers a variety of fixed position camera configurations, including thermal, low lux and image intensified, as well as dual sensor units. Both stationary and pan/tilt types are offered to fit the needs of the individual customer. Fixed surveillance cameras can help enhance existing security solutions by greatly improving visibility at night and through adverse weather. Cameras can quickly detect potential threats and intelligent software can analyse the threat then set off alarms or track suspects when there is a breach in progress. Many fixed surveillance solutions from NVS offer IP network addressability and can establish an initial security system or augment existing security architecture.
Mobile Systems
NVS understands the need for ground vehicle mobile camera systems and now offers a selection of thermal imaging cameras that easily mount on almost any ground vehicle. These systems provide pan/tilt capability for complete visibility day or night without the need for illumination. Vehicle operators can approach a target area with lights off in complete darkness and covertly monitor suspicious activity from a distance. Mobile vehicle mounted systems are popular for routine patrols, perimeter surveillance, force protection and more. Systems are rugged, waterproof and easy to install and operate.
Hand Held Surveillance Cameras
NVS is pleased to offer our customers an expanded selection of handheld cameras for night time or 24 hour surveillance activities. NVS offers a complete line of image intensified night vision cameras that amplify existing light (moonlight or starlight). These systems provide increased ability to see and identify suspects or targets at night. NVS also offers a range of thermal imaging handheld cameras for a 24 hour surveillance capability. These units detect thermal contrast so they require absolutely no illumination and can see in bright sunlight or complete darkness. Thermal systems provide superior visibility in obscure conditions such as fog and smoke. Both technologies provide users the ability to covertly detect threats, suspects or potential targets. Users will find these systems easy to use, lightweight, small, rugged and designed for personnel that are in the field and on the go. Handheld cameras are ideal for routine patrols, covert operations, force protection, situational awareness, search and rescue, target detection and much more. NVS has also been selected as the exclusive Master Distributor for ITT Night Vision’s Night Enforcer product line. This line of image intensified devices is designed strictly for the law enforcement market. Weapon mounted, goggles and handheld units are available.
Weapon Mounted Cameras
NVS provides a large selection of small arms fire control solutions to choose from. These range from third generation image intensified night vision sights to the latest thermal weapon sights. These units are rugged, lightweight and offer varying levels of magnification. Image intensified weapon sights from NVS are ideal for night target engagement, night reconnaissance and general surveillance. Our high resolution thermal weapon sights provide the ability to detect and acquire targets over long range in absolute darkness, while remaining completely covert. All sights are lightweight and can be mounted on almost any kind of small arms weapon up to and including .50 calibre weapons. These high performance weapon sights offer users excellent range performance, flexibility and accuracy.
Night Vision Equipment
Image intensified (I2) night vision technology has a long military history and has found acceptance in today’s world in public safety and security applications. I2 night vision devices require some ambient light in order to operate effectively. Usually this light is supplied by ambient starlight or moonlight. At the heart of night vision technology is an image intensifier tube, referred to often as an image tube. The tube converts photons to electrons and then amplifies the electron stream through the process of light amplification through a stimulated emission of electrons. A typical night vision device consists of objective and eyepiece lenses, image tube, electronics and a battery power source. The objective lens collects light from portions of the spectrum visible and invisible to the human eye and focuses it on the tube. A microchannel plate or MCP multiplies the electrons passing through and then the highly intensified electron stream strikes a phosphor screen and recreates an image that can now be seen with the human eye. Image intensifier technology continues to advance toward the next generation of image tube, extending it’s usefulness in a variety of systems, from handheld units, goggles and weapon sights.
Combat Identification
Friendly fire casualties are an increasing peril of modern warfare. Fratricide results from Operation Desert Storm caused the US Army leadership to direct immediate action to save soldiers lives and preserve combat power. Friendly casualties and equipment losses underscored the need for a more 
effective means of identifying friend from foe on the battlefield. Without some kind of target identification system, the extended ranges of modern weapons make it virtually impossible for a gunner, even under ideal conditions, to visually identify the target at maximum effective ranges. Working closely with the US Army, Night Vision Systems (NVS) developed several combat identification devices that included thermal panels, GloTape IR markers and IR lights. The devices provide a unique signature when viewed through US Army thermal viewers or night vision goggles and ensure that the gunner is capable of identifying friendly soldiers at maximum ranges. The NVS identification devices were tested under all conditions and were approved as the Joint Combat Identification Marking System (JCIMS).
The devices that achieved this distinction are the Phoenix and Phoenix Jr. Near Infrared lights, GloTape IFF reflective tape, and thermal cloth panels for air-to-ground and ground-to-ground protection. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) also successfully tested these devices and the members agreed to employ the devices in accordance with NATO Standardization Agreement (STANAG 2129) for identification of land forces on the battlefield. Because of the demonstrated accomplishments of these anti-fratricide products, the NVS devices were approved to be the Department of Army near-term combat identification solution. These devices not only successfully protected the soldiers in Operation Iraqi Freedom, but are also the only approved anti-fratricide devices to fight the war on terrorism.
Laser Designation/Aiming
The word LASER is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. NVS offers a wide array of lasers, utilized in military, local, state and Federal and law enforcement agency operations. Lasers can be used as an aimer boresighted to a specific weapon or as a pointer/illuminator to enhance a target’s signature, making it more visible through certain night vision devices. A laser is a device that creates a narrow, intense beam of coherent light and can be pulsed or continuous. Lasers can operate in the infrared, visible and ultraviolet spectrum. Lasers in the infrared spectrum are invisible to the naked eye but are visible using certain night vision equipment. Three different classes of lasers are available from NVS. Classification of laser emissions is determined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a part of laser product regulation to restrict use to appropriate and safe operation. Class I These laser emissions cannot emit laser radiation at known hazard levels. Class IIIa Intermediate-power laser emitters (1-5 mW) are hazardous for intrabeam viewing. Class IIIb level of laser radiation emission is considered to be an acute hazard to the skin and eyes from direct radiation.