2025, Volume 31, Issue 3
VISUAL TARGET DETECTION AND RECOGNITION PERFORMANCE UNDER NVG-AIDED AND PHOTOPIC CONDITIONS
RAFAŁ LEWKOWICZ1, ADAM TARNOWSKI2
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1Department of Simulator Studies and Aeromedical Training, Military Institute of Aviation Medicine
2Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Nicolaus Copernicus University
Autor korenspondencyjny: RAFAŁ LEWKOWICZ; Department of Simulator Studies and Aeromedical Training, Military Institute of Aviation Medicine; email: rlewkowicz@wiml.waw.pl
Streszczenie
Introduction: Night vision goggles (NVGs) introduce several limitations to human vision, including a reduced field of view, monochromatic imagery, lower visual acuity, and impaired depth perception. These factors make object detection and recognition during NVG-supported night flights, particularly at low altitudes, especially demanding. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of flight crew members in detecting and recognizing visual targets representing potential terrain threats under NVG-aided versus NVG-free photopic conditions.
Methods: Seventy NVG-inexperienced flight personnel were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 33) or an experimental group (n = 37). Participants performed a target discrimination task using a 3D terrain model under two lighting conditions: natural daylight (photopic vision) for the control group and NVG display screen illumination for the experimental group. The task involved detecting and recognizing six high-contrast geometric targets (triangles and squares) simulating terrain obstacles. Responses were recorded using a structured questionnaire.
Results: Detection and recognition performance was significantly lower under NVG-aided conditions. Age and flight experience did not influence outcomes, and target shape had no significant effect on recognition accuracy in either condition.
Conclusions: NVG use was associated with impaired target detection and recognition, independent of participant demographics. The results point to both optical and system-level limitations, underscoring the need for improved NVG calibration procedures and performance assessments under realistic, lower-contrast conditions, as well as targeted user training to ensure reliable operational performance and flight safety.
Słowa kluczowe
visual perception, night vision, NVG, aviation medicine, flight safety