Measurement of night vision goggle (NVG) visual acuity with the NVG resolution chart

Night vision goggles (NVG) operations are characterized as stressful with high task loading. Any reduction in goggle or visual performance which goes undetected can have a serious effect on flight safety and operational capability. The NVG Test Lane, with its resolution chart, provides an effective cost-efficient method for aircrew members to quickly evaluate the correct positioning and focusing of their NVG's prior to each mission. This evaluation validated the ability of the NVG resolution chart to produce the same performance results as a more detailed psychophysical procedure. NVG visual acuity was measured for five subjects (four pilots and one non-pilot) with two different night vision goggles. The results supported that there is no statistical difference between the results obtained with the individual target format and the 3 x 3 format. Additionally, the pilots with current NVG experience were able to obtain a significantly better acuity level than were those without current NVG experience.