GPNVG-18 (Ground Panoramic Night Vision Goggle) is the first panoramic night vision goggle used by the world’s leading special forces, offering superior vision capabilities on modern battlefields. With its wide field of view and high resolution, it provides the user with an almost daylight-clear viewing experience in the dark.
Development Process and Technical Background
In the mid-1990s, the U.S. government conducted a survey among aircrew personnel to improve the night vision systems. The two most requested features were a wider field of view and higher resolution. Based on these needs, the first panoramic prototypes were developed, designed not by stretching traditional tubes, but by using four separate tubes to achieve up to a 100-degree field of view.
In 1998, this system was tested on aircraft under the designation ANVIS-10 and subsequently used on planes like the AC-130, A-10 Thunderbolt, and C-17. However, the ANVIS-10 proved insufficient for demanding ground operations.
Emergence of the GPNVG-18
Developed by L3Harris, the GPNVG-18 addressed all the shortcomings of the ANVIS-10. It offers a more modular, rugged system capable of withstanding extreme temperatures. It gained prominence especially after being used by SEAL Team 6 during the 2011 Osama Bin Laden operation.
Key Technical Features
- Field of View: 97° panoramic vision
- Number of Tubes: 4 MX-10160 image tubes
- Mounting: Compatible with Wilcox dovetail or ball detent mounts
- Lenses: Proprietary lenses manufactured by L3Harris
- Usage: Helmet-integrated with external battery support
Usage Areas and Modern Operations
Today, the GPNVG-18 is actively used by elite units such as the US Delta Force, Turkish SAT Commandos, Ukrainian Special Forces, South Korea, Germany, the Netherlands, and France. Its wide field of view and tactical advantages make it especially effective in close-quarters combat.
GPNVG-18 in Popular Culture
The GPNVG-18 has appeared in films such as Zero Dark Thirty, The Contractor, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever; it has become a symbol of special forces aesthetics in video games like Call of Duty, Escape from Tarkov, and Resident Evil Village. This exposure has put it on the radar of both tactical gear enthusiasts and the gaming community.
The GPNVG-18 is not just a night vision device but an innovative solution representing the pinnacle of modern warfare technology. It stands out both militarily and culturally by offering absolute visual superiority in darkness.
Current Users of the GPNVG-18: The Choice of Strategic Partners
Thanks to its advanced technology and operational effectiveness, the GPNVG-18 night vision goggle is an exclusive piece of equipment accessible only to elite military units. Today, many countries with strong defense infrastructures and close ties to Western alliances actively deploy this system within their special forces.
Leading the list are the US Delta Force, Turkish Naval Commandos (SAT), and Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SOF), which have proven the device’s effectiveness in real combat situations. Especially after 2022, Ukraine has deployed GPNVG-18 systems supplied by Western allies extensively on the battlefield.
In Europe, Germany’s KSK (Kommando Spezialkräfte) and the German Navy’s KSM employ this advanced technology in night operations. The Dutch NLMARSOF naval special forces and France’s Air Force CPA-10 special units also count the GPNVG-18 among their standard gear.
In the Asia-Pacific region, South Korea’s special forces attracted attention by mass deploying these goggles during a brief internal security crisis in 2024. Australia’s Tactical Assault Group-East is another unit effectively utilizing the GPNVG-18 in urban and low-light environments.
In this context, it can be confidently said that the GPNVG-18 is not merely equipment but a strategic asset enhancing tactical capacity. The user profile clearly reflects the device’s elite status and global prestige.
