03/06/2020
LIGHTING, AIRCRAFT, NIGHT VISION IMAGING SYSTEM (NVIS)
MIL-STD-3009 (SUPERSEDING -> MIL-L-85762A)
This standard establishes requirements for the emission characteristics of aircraft
lighting and display equipment that is intended for use with night vision imaging systems
(NVIS). It is applicable to all systems, subsystems, component equipment, and
hardware that provide the lighting environment on aircraft where NVIS are employed.
Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS).
A system that uses image intensifier tubes to produce an enhanced image of a scene in
light conditions too low for normal navigation and pilotage.
By design, the MIL-L-85762, ASC/ENFC 96-01 and MIL-STD-3009 were kept general
so that they could be used by a wide variety of users. Also, in some cases,
compromises had to be reached among the services so that a tri-service specification
could be achieved. However, where compromise was needed, it was almost always
conservative. Therefore, some project managers may want to waive parts of the
standard. However, caution should be used because, although not readily apparent,
many parts of the standard are interrelated. For example, specifying NVIS Green as a
color is no guarantee that NVIS-compatibility will be achieved. Likewise, changing the
color could make achieving the proper NVIS Radiance impossible.
Throughout the development of MIL-L-85762 and MIL-L-85762A, the JACG members
received numerous complaints from manufacturers that the requirements were
unrealistic, impossible to meet, or excluded certain technologies. However, it has been
proven that these manufacturers are incorrect and, at the time of this writing, numerous
manufacturers can meet the requirements of MIL-L-85762. Likewise, red lighting
components meeting the requirements of MIL-L-85762A are difficult to manufacture at
the present time. However, after manufacturers have had an opportunity to examine
the requirements and develop product lines to meet those requirements, the red lighting
components should also be readily available.