AN/TVS-5 Night Vision Sight
The AN/TVS-5 Night Vision Sight is a portable, battery operated, electro-optical instrument used for observation and aimed fire of weapons at night. It amplifies reflected light such as moonlight, starlight, and sky glow so that the viewed scene becomes visible to the operator. An eye guard prevents visible and infrared light from being emitted from the eyepiece. The AN/TVS-5 is presently the standard night sight for the M2 .50 Caliber and 40mm MK19 heavy machine guns. The AN/TVS-5 can be tripod mounted for surveillance, however it is generally used in the Marine Corps as a crew-served weapon night sight. The sight comes furnished with the mounting bracket and reticle for the M2 machine gun. Brackets and reticles for use with other weapons must be separately requisitioned. A carrying bag and battery adapter for low temperature operations may also be requisitioned.
The AN/TVS-5 was designed in the 1970s to provide a night fighting capability with crew-served weapons. Fielding to Army units is complete, and the supplement/replacement system is the AN/PAS-13, Thermal Weapon Sight (TWS). The Army is no longer procuring the second generation AN/TVS-5 weapon sight, but continues to procure this device
in support of other requirements, predominantly the Marine Corps and FMS.
Sources and Resources
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/an-tvs-5.htm
Maintained by Robert Sherman
Originally created by John Pike
Updated Tuesday, February 22, 2000 5:07:27 PM
