WEAPONS EFFECTS ON NIGHT VISION Flashcards
WEAPONS EFFECT ON NVS
During rocket firing, the motor burn from the rocket illuminates the cockpit area letting the aviator see some sparkling effect to the front of the aircraft. Other than this momentary distraction to the unaided eye, the crew should not experience any adverse effects. When the aircrew member fires the 30-millimeter cannon, the muzzle blast may distract the unaided eye if the gun is fired off axis. Crew coordination and communication can minimize this temporary distraction. While firing Hellfire missiles, the crew will experience a temporary illumination of the cockpit area similar to rocket firings. This temporary distraction from the flight motor of the missile will not affect either crewmember’s aided eye, which is already adapted to photopic vision.
WEAPONS EFFECT ON NVG
During Hellfire missile engagements, NVGs may momentarily shut down if the aviator looks directly at the motor during ignition. When firing the 2.75 inch folding-fin aerial rocket, 20- or 30-millimeter cannon, 7.62 millimeter, or .50-caliber machine guns, aircrews may briefly lose sight of the target. Although the bright flash resulting from the rocket launch lasts only milliseconds, the muzzle flash from the weapons may cause the aircrew to lose sight of the target throughout the entire firing burst. The recovery from bright flash illumination is more rapid with NVGs than unaided. A greater concern is observing impact due to flash signature momentarily degrading the NVG.
