Story perspectives

U.S. Troops Adopt Passive PVS-14 Night Vision, Dropping IR Lamps

5/16/2026

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. military has replaced active infrared lamps with passive image-intensifier scopes, allowing troops to see at night without emitting a visible beam.
Soldiers now carry PVS-14 third-generation night-vision monoculars, which remain in service through 2026.
Since the 1960s the devices use green phosphor screens because the human eye is most sensitive to that wavelength.
Infrared lasers attached to the goggles enable covert signaling that enemy forces cannot detect.

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Story summary

The U.S. military has replaced active infrared lamps with passive image-intensifier scopes, allowing troops to see at night without emitting a visible beam.
Soldiers now carry PVS-14 third-generation night-vision monoculars, which remain in service through 2026.
Since the 1960s the devices use green phosphor screens because the human eye is most sensitive to that wavelength.
Infrared lasers attached to the goggles enable covert signaling that enemy forces cannot detect.