AN/PSQ-42

The AN/PSQ-42 Enhanced Night Vision Goggle-Binocular (ENVG-B) is a third-generation passive binocular night vision device developed for the United States Army by L3Harris. It combines dual tube image-intensifying (I²) and thermal-imaging technologies into a single goggle, enabling vision in low-light conditions. The two methods can be used individually or simultaneously in a fused mode.^[1] The ENVG-B is intended to be issued to the dismounted combat arms soldiers within the Army's Brigade combat teams (BCT), and so far over 10,000 have been issued to several BCT's within the 1st Infantry Division, 2nd Infantry Division, 25th Infantry Division, 82nd Airborne Division and 101st Airborne Division.^[2][3] The US Marine Corps has also purchased 3,100 ENVG-B units.^[4]

U.S. Army soldiers load an M224 60mm mortar, as seen through the ENVG-B's I² + thermal fusion outline mode

AN/PSQ-42 Enhanced Night Vision Goggle-Binocular
A U.S. Army soldier wearing an IHPS helmet with ENVG-B goggles mounted.
Type	Helmet mounted binocular image intensifier and thermal imager combination
Place of origin	United States
Category	Military
Service history
In service	2019–present
Used by	U.S. Army U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations Forces (Ukraine)
Wars	War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Operation Inherent Resolve Russian Invasion of Ukraine
Production history
Designer	L3Harris and Elbit Systems of America
Designed	2018–2019
Manufacturer	L3Harris Elbit Systems of America
No. built	>13,000 units
Specifications
Weight	<2.5 lbs
Battery configuration	Helmet mounted 4x AA-type battery pack

Development

The ENVG-B was reported to be in development as early as 2018, intended to give soldiers better depth perception than the monocular AN/PVS-14 and AN/PSQ-20.^[5] Initial production (Directed Requirements Contract) goggles were produced with a black housing, while full rate production (Program of Record Contract) goggles are now produced in a Tan 499 housing.^[6]

In accordance with the Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS), the "AN/PSQ-42" designation represents the 42nd design of an Army-Navy electronic device for portable special combination equipment. The JETDS system also now is used to name all Department of Defense electronic systems.

Design and features

The AN/PSQ-42 combines two image intensification tubes with an uncooled thermal imager and is able to operate in an I²-only mode or a fusion mode that combines I² with a thermal image overlay. The overlay is also capable of displaying a compass and augmented reality data from a Nett Warrior device.^[7] The ENVG-B uses L3Harris' proprietary SuperGain image-intensification tubes, claimed to provide better image gain and brightness than previous Generation 3 image intensifier tubes.^[8] The ENVG-B can also display wirelessly transmitted weapon sight crosshair and thermal imagery from the Family of Weapon Sights-Individual (FWS-I) thermal imager mounted on a weapon.^[9][10] The image-intensifying tubes also allows the user to illuminate, designate, and engage targets conventionally with weapon-mounted infrared laser pointer-illuminator devices such as the AN/PEQ-15.

The entire ENVG-B assembly consists of the ENVG-B goggles themselves, Positioning Assembly (PA), Helmet Mount Assembly (HMA) and battery pack.^[11] In a fashion similar to the AN/PSQ-20 and AN/PVS-31, the ENVG-B does not receive power from a battery within the goggle housing itself (such as in the AN/PVS-14). Instead, the goggle receives power from the battery pack mounted on the rear of the soldier's helmet via a circuit that traverses the HMA and PA, with hotshoe connectors at the interface between those components.^[10] This shifts the center mass of an ENVG-B equipped helmet toward the wearer's neck, resulting in a more ergonomic balance and reducing neck strain, especially in the prone. The ENVG-B assembly can be mounted on the ACH, ECH and IHPS helmets. A special helmet cover designed to conceal the battery pack and HMA exists for these helmets.^[10]

A small infrared illuminator is built into the housing for viewing handheld items like a map, weapon, or radio screen. A gain control knob is centrally mounted on the bridge of the goggle housing. Both the eyepieces and objective lenses are capable of affixing a protective sacrificial lens, and the objective lenses have removable protective rubber caps with lanyards.

Operational history

U.S. Army paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division during Operation Allies Refuge. Both are equipped with the ENVG-B in a high stowed position.

The ENVG-B saw its first operational use with 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division during its participation in Operation Allies Refuge in August 2021.

As of January 2025, the Special Operations Forces (Ukraine) have been making use of the ENVG-B system during the Russian Invasion of Ukraine.^[12]

The US Army has an Acquisition Objective of 122,323 ENVG-B devices.^[13]