A Comparison of Soldier Performance on a Target Detection and Identification Task Using Fused Sensor Technology and Current Night Vision Technology

Soldiers rely on night vision devices to enhance their ability to detect and identify objects of interest in environments of reduced luminosity. The night vision device that is currently being used by United States Army Soldiers deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan is based on Image Intensifying (I²) technology. An alternative technology for night vision devices is to use a fused sensor that combines I² technology and a thermal sensor. The purpose of this study is to compare Soldier performance on detecting and identifying human targets while using a night vision device with I² technology to their performance while using prototype fused sensors in a field setting. Five retired Special Forces Soldiers, all of which had experience with using night vision devices which employed I² technology and with thermal imaging technology participated in the study. Participants were asked to detect targets at ranges varying from 50–250 meters and to identify targets as military or civilian at ranges of 25–150 meters. Significant main effects of type of night vision device type (p < 0.0093) and range (p < 0.0003) were found on the ability of the participants to both detect and identify targets. In addition, a significant interaction was determined (p < 0.0219) on the ability of participants to detect targets. Focused analysis revealed participants were more able to correctly detect targets with the I² technology than with fused sensors at targets ranging from 200–250 meters, and were more able to correctly identify targets with I² than with fused sensors. The results from this study clearly indicate the prototype fused sensor tested here did not outperform a night vision device based solely on I² technology, and in several cases demonstrated poorer performance.