The Binocular Night Vision Device – Fused (BNVD-Fused) is a critical tool for troops to operate at all times of day and in all weather conditions. L3Harris Technologies is continuing the evolution of these night vision goggles to further integrate the technology into multi-domain operations.
BNVD-Fused is today’s most advanced situational awareness system for coalition forces with high-performance image intensifier (I2) tubes. Fused white phosphor and thermal technologies help warfighters more quickly target, engage and neutralize threats.
“Mission-focused, rapid innovation over the past 50 years has led to this dual-wave, helmet-mounted solution to provide unmatched clarity in all battlefield and light conditions,” said Brenna Baker, President, Integrated Vision Solutions, Communications & Spectrum Dominance, L3Harris. “We fuse advanced capabilities, including our I2 tubes, into integrated devices to provide next-generation situational awareness for mission success.”
The L3Harris Advantage
For the past five years, L3Harris has developed and delivered BNVD-Fused to Five Eyes and NATO allies, with adoption of this advanced night-vision technology beginning in Australia, according to Kevin Steubing, Vice President, International Business Development, Communications & Spectrum Dominance, L3Harris.
“The special forces community has specifically latched onto this exquisite system because of the overmatch it provides over adversaries,” said Steubing. “Everybody today has night vision. Adding the thermal capability of BNVD-Fused gives you instant overmatch. You can see enemies if they’re hiding, and they can’t see you.”
A built-in compass and GPS iconography provide additional situational awareness that adversaries also do not have without added on-body devices.
“We have delivered hundreds of thousands of night-vision goggles in the last two decades, and our pedigree in fused devices dates back to 2008 when we developed the first binocular fused goggle,” said Dan Burnham, Lead, Business Development, L3Harris. “We’ve delivered more than 30,000 such systems since.”
Recent interest has particularly focused on the mobility and target recognition military personnel get through the combination of thermal and I2 night-vision technology provided by BNVD-Fused, according to Steubing. These features increase threat detection in the degraded environments most forecast will be ever-present in future combat scenarios.
“Traditional night vision is great for mobility by allowing users to see and recognize targets, but it’s not very good at detecting – especially in environments with thick vegetation or adverse weather conditions, like fog,” said Steubing. “This is where the added thermal capability really comes into play, especially as the threat environment with night-vision technology is much closer to near-peer than ever before.”
L3Harris was the first company to market an international fused night-vision device in 2020 and has established flexible, high-volume production lines to accommodate current and potential surge demand for the capability, added Steubing.
Localized Partnerships Driving Global Success
L3Harris collaborates with companies local to its customers to support both system and I2 tube sales. This localization strategy extends to partnerships with commercial dealer resellers, ensuring tailored solutions and streamlined support for regional markets. BNVD-Fused can be further adapted for NATO and Five Eyes partners through open and flexible design architectures that meet each customer’s specific requirements without compromising performance. As allied armies accelerate modernization, this in-country partnership model supports long-term fielding and sustainment beyond the initial sale.
Looking into the Enhanced Future
The company’s compact multi-node digital overlay capability will soon be available to Five Eyes and NATO nations, delivering augmented reality to BNVD-Fused without replacing existing battery packs.
The module will increase situational awareness with full-color overlays featuring video streaming – including feeds from unmanned vehicles – and leverage commercial ultra-wideband to enable a networked soldier. L3Harris leveraged legacy experience supporting fused night-vision solutions for current customers in the development of the overlay and is currently working with end users to determine form factors and other characteristics to meet needs at the tactical edge.
“The integration of this capability within the digital battlefield network allows operators to dominate low-light environments with additional spectrum and target-detection capabilities – in addition to enhanced situational awareness – without having to rely on body-worn end-user devices,” said Steubing. “With everything you need to know overlayed in an intuitive fashion in the goggle view, warfighters can be more effective and faster in accomplishing their missions.”
