In the novel A Debt of Honor, chapter 1 opens in a compound at night after a firefight. Mitch Greenfield, our protagonist, who goes by the callsign Nada, has eliminated the immediate threats and is scanning the courtyard. As the scene unfolds, we learn that his vision is enhanced by the sophisticated night optical device he wears, which shows the scene in a ghostly blue hue.
Now, when the subject of night vision comes up, the image that comes to mind for most people is the eerie green color made famous in innumerable films, not blue. So, what gives? During this operation, Mitch is wearing AN/PVS-15 night vision goggles (NVG), cutting edge at the time of the scene. While green phosphor was the standard for many years, white phosphor technology quickly gained traction due to its superior visual acuity and reduced eye strain, especially in environments with varying light.
With the introduction of the AN/PVS-15 white phosphor NVGs, a new era dawned in night operations. Its advanced image intensifier tubes revolutionized low-light performance, empowering users to navigate the darkness with unprecedented precision and heightened situational awareness.
If you want to learn more, the folks at Gloom Group have a solid blog about night vision.
