Evaluation of Night Vision Goggles in the Dynamic Flight Simulator

Two aviators night vision goggles were evaluated on the NAVAIRDEVCEN Dynamic Flight Simulator Human Centrifuge as part of a selection process to choose a system applicable to NAVY fixed wing flight operations. The helmet mounted sights under evaluation were CATSEYES and ANVIS. The main objective of the centrifuge tests were to evaluate the acceleration induced head and neck loadings, and to sujectively compare the comfort and wearability of each system. Additional qualitative date were taken on helmet rotation and the ability to perform a visual tracking task. The six subjects found no difference in either system in term of neck strain, comfort, or the ability to keep their attention on the tracking task. Both goggles were less comfortable than the helmet alone, but no experimental run had to be aborted due to discomfort or strain and no long term physical effects wee noted.