Methods of Implementing NVIS Compatible Cockpit Lighting

摘要

On average, half of a 24-hour day is darkness. Military flight operations do not stop during hours of darkness, and use of night vision goggles to facilitate such operations is widespread. For best visual acuity of the intensified outside scene, aircraft cockpit lighting must be compatible with (not to be sensed or intensified) a night vision imaging system (NVIS). Multiple methods of implementing NVIS compatible cockpit lighting exist and, with two exceptions, the methods are designed for permanent installation. Because aircraft program managers are faced with many choices when implementing NVIS compatible cockpit lighting systems, descriptions of each of the lighting methods are provided to help assist in selection of the optimal system for a given aircraft. Concern about the quality of illumination provided by temporary chemical light sticks has resulted in the recent development of a new NVIS compatible illumination system based on light emitting diodes (LEDs). The LED system is inexpensive and is intended for temporary applications. The system has proved popular, and its design and effect on existing cockpit lighting design paradigms is discussed.