I-Vision for the head.

Hands-free thermal imaging is the arena of Exigence, who has developed a series of helmet-mounted thermal vision systems. The US Air Force has recently fielded the company's Thermal Integrated Helmet for convoy escort use and the system has been proven on fast boats for piloting and crew weapon firing. The system grew out of the company's I-Vision product line, the first prototype of which was released in February of 2003. The I-Vision, which was originally developed to provide hands-free vision in collapsed structures and urban rescue situations, allows the changing of the short focal length lens (8.5 mm) to longer-range lenses of (25 mm or 50 mm), depending upon situation. This enables the user to see out to 1000+ feet through dust, smoke and total darkness. The current helmet housing, with improved liner, components and incorporating the I-Vision system camera, monocle and power supply, weighs less than 1.35 kg.

The system is being employed by weapon station gunners in Humvees and fast patrol boats where underway firing accuracy even in low visibility (night, smoke & fog) was shown to increase by 400 per cent. The I-Vision mounted with a CVC (Combat Vehicle Crew) helmet fully addressed the problem of 'heads-up' vehicle commanders in maintaining full local awareness and control of their vehicle and unit in limited visibility. It is also being used for route sweeps, in Mout operations and by helicopter crew chiefs, as the inclusion of wireless video transmission has expanded its capabilities to provide networked distributed awareness.

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