Two NATO nations Order Undisclosed Quantities
Safran Electronics & Defense recorded the first two orders for its new E-NYX wide field-of-view night vision goggles (NVG) at the end of June. Combining extremely light weight with enhanced reliability, robustness and performance, in particular due to its expanded 47° field of view, E-NYX has been selected by two NATO countries that recently confirmed their plans to join the Takuba Task Force, created to fight terrorist groups in the Sahel.
E-NYX is Safran’s enhanced multirole NVG. It draws on the full range of expertise in portable optronics and image intensification built up over the last 30 years by Safran and its strategic partner, Theon Sensors. The two companies have already delivered some 160,000 image intensifier devices to armed forces from around the world.
E-NYX features the latest generation of image intensifier tubes (IIT) designed and built by a French company, reflecting the state-of-the-art in European defence optronics. Weighing less than 500g, the device spans all current infantry requirements, including tactical movements, observation, vehicle control and firing weapons of all calibres, thanks to its compatibility with laser illuminator-pointers in the 830-960nm frequency band.
These advanced NVG offer native compatibility with Safran’s Enhanced Clip-On Thermal Imager (ECOTI) and Enhanced Clip-On SWIR Imager (ECOSI) clip-ons, to add anti-camouflage and ‘see-spot’ capabilities thanks to the addition of an infrared channel; ‘see-spot’ allows display of third-party laser pointing spots to facilitate terminal guidance for munitions. They also feature advanced connectivity, including connections to NATO-standard information and communications systems, navigation, geolocation and real-time Blue Force Tracking.
These initial orders confirm Safran’s position as a world leader in portable optronics for dismounted soldiers. Produced in France, E-NYX clearly illustrates the country’s expertise in high-performance portable optronics, as well as the global reach of this French centre of excellence.