Enhancing Vision, Amplifying Precision, Defining the Standard
Unrivaled Night Vision and Military Equipment Testing Solutions
For more than 40 years, Gamma Scientific has led the field in photonic testing for military and aerospace vision systems — from heads-up display (HUD) measurement systems fielded since 1976 on U.S. military aircraft including the F-16, F-18, B-1B, F-117, C-17, and F-35, to today’s night vision and low-light imaging test solutions.
Advancing the Future of Night Vision
Night vision compatibility testing depends on two things: precisely measuring how a display or lighting system performs under night vision imaging systems (NVIS), and precisely controlling the illumination conditions used to test it. Gamma Scientific builds both halves of that workflow.
Measurement
GS-1290 NVIS
Gamma Scientific has been performing Night Vision compatibility testing on cockpit displays and aircraft lighting since the introduction of MIL-L-85762 in 1986. While competitive systems target a 10:1 signal-to-noise (SNR) measurement ratio, our GS-1290 NVIS Spectroradiometers are designed and built to deliver an SNR of 100:1 or greater. From NVIS Radiance and Chromaticity testing to Contrast Ratio testing, Gamma Scientific performs all testing required to pass MIL-L-85762A and MIL-STD-3009, covering the 360–930nm range with six different field-of-view apertures.
simulation
RS-9 Night Sky Simulation Source
Night-vision systems operate at extremely low illumination levels, where spectral content, radiometric accuracy, and repeatability are critical — conditions that are difficult to reproduce reliably outdoors. The SpectralLED® RS-9 Night Sky Simulation Source replaces conventional filtered tungsten-halogen night-sky sources with a programmable, solid-state alternative. Covering 360nm to 1700nm, it synthesizes visible, near-infrared, and short-wave infrared illumination through independently programmable LED channels — reproducing predefined night-sky conditions (starlight, overcast, quarter-moon, full-moon) or any custom NVIS spectrum, with NIST-traceable, repeatable accuracy.
Key Features:
- 360–1700nm programmable spectral output, UVA through SWIR
- Predefined night-sky spectral library (starlight, overcast, quarter-moon, full-moon) plus custom NVIS spectra
- Uniform Lambertian output via precision integrating sphere
- Closed-loop optical feedback and active temperature stabilization for stable output across extended test sequences
- NIST-traceable, ISO/IEC 17025-accredited calibration (NVLAP lab code 200823-0)
Compliance
The RS-9 supports laboratory verification of applicable NVG-related requirements under 14 CFR Part 27 and Part 29 — including Sections 27/29.771, 27/29.772, 27/29.777, 27/29.1301, 27/29.1321(a), and 27/29.1381(b) — for aircraft operated with pilot-worn Night Vision Goggles (NVGs), alongside the MIL-L-85762A and MIL-STD-3009 compliance our display testing already supports.
Measurement Applications:
- Night Vision Device (NVD) and Night Vision Goggle (NVG) testing and characterization
- Night-sky illumination simulation
- Cockpit and instrument panel NVIS compatibility testing
- Image intensifier and low-light-level sensor characterization
- Visible–SWIR camera characterization and spectral response measurement
- Radiometric calibration and quantum efficiency measurement
- Automated production testing
With a 40+ year track record of successfully securing and fulfilling government contracts, Gamma understands the technical specifications and regulations required by the U.S. Government. We are renowned for our expertise in meeting and exceeding the military’s specific product and testing requirements and successfully navigating complex procurement processes.
