What is a PhantomTM
Light? The Phantom
light is a flashlight, used like any other flashlight; however, soldiers using
the Phantom flashlight are more likely to survive in a combat situation. The
patented Phantom flashlight has four possible modes: "Phantom White® mode, pure
infrared mode, NVIS green mode, and cobalt blue low mode. For any job that needs
to be done, the Phantom flashlight is the only light you need to carry.
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What makes the Phantom
Light different from other flashlights?
The Phantom light is different from other
flashlights because it is the only flashlight that can be put into "Phantom
WhiteTM" mode, which means that it is the only flashlight that
produces a white light that is secure against enemy night vision goggles (NVGs).
In this mode the Phantom emits only visible light no infrared. The Phantom is so
unique, that the light is protected by several patents. {Back to Top}
Can the Phantom White®
Light work alongside my buddy's NVGs?
When one soldier is wearing NVGs and his partner
needs to read a map or perform some other task, the Phantom light is the only
flashlight that will not hinder the partner wearing night vision goggles.
Because the Phantom light has a low signature, a soldier can work with the
Phantom light and not blind his buddy's NVGs--Even in a cockpit situation!
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Why can't the enemy see
me with their NVGs?
A
normal white or red filtered flashlight emits visible light. Unfortunately, it
also emits infrared energy at an intensity 20 times greater than the visible
light. To our soldier using a normal white or red flashlight, the infrared
portion is of no use because it does not improve his ability to see. To the
enemy wearing his NVGs, the infrared light coming from the filtered light is a
substantial benefit. It allows him to locate our soldier easily because infrared
light is primarily what the NVGs pick up. The Phantom white® light is a special
blend of colors that radiates only visible light---NO INFRARED. Therefore, the
Phantom white light does not project the type of energy that the NVGs easily
detect. Furthermore, the Phantom has a special hood that directs the visible
light only in the required location.
So, low signature plus distance is the
reason that the NVG-wearing enemy cannot see our soldier. The Phantom light only
radiates a small amount of light that the NVGs can pick up in the first
place--the enemy's distance does the rest to insure secure lighting.
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Is there a special way to
handle the Phantom light?
While traditional light discipline techniques (e.g. using a poncho) may
be used with the Phantom, they are not necessary. The Phantom flashlight,
however, should always be directed downward. If it is directed towards the
enemy, he will see the light both with his naked eye and with his NVG. The
Phantom can be visible to both the NVG and the naked eye when directed "head
on," but since it has a low signature, it is secure against the NVGs when it is
used properly. {Back to Top}
How does the Phantom light
turn on and off?
The
Phantom light's dimmable system was designed to be easy to operate for soldiers
wearing gloves. The unit turns on and becomes brighter simply by rotating and
tightening the bezel.
For one-handed operation, there is a
thumb switch option available. The thumb switch can either adjust the intensity
or provide a momentary "on" for signaling. {Back to
Top}
What is each mode used
for?
The Phantom
White® mode is appropriate when our soldier is worried about being detected by
enemy NVGs, or when a nearby friendly soldier is wearing NVGs and our soldier
does not want to blind him. At the same time, Phantom White® mode is a white
light providing for the true color reading of maps.
The pure infrared mode can be used when
our soldier needs to signal friendly forces looking for him with NVGs. The
Phantom flashlight in this mode can also be used by the soldier wearing the NVGs
as a low level light source to enhance the night vision goggles'
capability.
The NVIS green mode is used by pilots
and others who wear the NVIS minus blue filters on their NVGs. In this mode, the
Phantom can be directed straight into the goggles but will not be seen by them.
This mode is helpful for pilots who don't want the risk of having a light
directed into their goggles while flying.
Cobalt blue mode is perfect for medics
who need to perform eye inspections on the battlefield and remain secure against
enemy NVGs. It is also the standard secure blue used in aircraft. It is a low
level blue light that illuminates before the Phantom white® comes
on.
The Infrared and NVIS green modes cannot
be ordered on the same unit. {Back to Top}
How do I set up each of
the different modes of the Phantom Light?
By simply reversing the batteries! For Phantom white
and cobalt blue mode, the batteries need to be positioned as shown on the side
of the case. Where the Phantom includes either the "infrared option" or "NVIS
green option," the light can be a pure infrared or NVIS green source merely by
reversing the batteries. {Back to Top}
Has the Phantom light been
tested?
The
Phantom light is probably the most tested light in military history!
It has undergone extensive
testing by the Army at the Human Engineering Lab at Aberdeen Proving Ground,
Maryland and the Field Artillery School at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. During those
tests, the Phantom light was shown to be far superior to either the red or
blue-green filtered flashlight. It has been successfully evaluated by Natick,
the Night Vision Laboratory at Fort Belvoir, and the Science Advisor at
MARFORLANT at Camp LeJeune. The unit has been in use for 8 years in the Multiple
Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS.) In addition to the vehicle usage, the Phantom is
also finding its way into the cockpits of U.S. aircraft. Special Operations
Units in Dover, Delaware have been flying with Phantoms in the cockpits of the
C-5 Aircraft for over two years. {Back to
Top}
Why should I get rid of my
red filtered flashlight?
Your red flashlight makes you a hazard for two reasons. First, you are
using a light that, while it appears dim to your eyes, gives off a large, clear
signal to the enemy sniper wearing NVGs. They see you and your light as clearly
as if it were daytime. Therefore, you are jeopardizing the safety of yourself
and your unit with a red filtered flashlight. Even if you are working in a tent
or under a poncho, light will escape and give your position
away.
The second reason that the red light
makes you a hazard is that you cannot do your job well with it. If you are
looking at any object that has colors, a red or blue colored light will distort
those colors. If you are reading a map, working with different colored fluids or
wires, or performing any medical procedure, you will not be able to see colors
clearly, and because of that problem, you may make a mistake that will cost
someone's life. {Back to Top}
Why is the blue filtered
light bad?
The
blue-green filtered light that some of the military is using is secure because
it is not seen as easily with the NVGs as the white or red filtered light, but
it is still dangerous. It is dangerous because it distorts color. Like the red
filtered light that washes out all of the red and reddish colors on a map, the
blue-green filtered light washes out all of the rivers, roads, boundaries,
contours, and declinations that are greenish or bluish in hue. You cannot afford
to misread your map. In addition, blue green filtered lights are very tiring on
your eye.{Back to Top}
How much light will I get
with the Phantom?
It provides 6 feet of light onto the ground. The
Phantom gives enough white light to allow you to read a map accurately, look
over an engine, or walk though the woods--anything that you need to do at close
range. It does not emit a bright spot of light, although it is available in both
a higher intensity mode and with an optional "Inspection Option" module which is a bright white bulb which is several times
brighter than other mini AA lights. It is interchangeable with the Phantom
module. {Back to Top}
Is the Phantom light
waterproof?
The
flashlight is waterproof up to 200 feet--even with the thumb switch option. The
vehicle Phantom is also available in a watertight version. {Back to Top}
Is the light
fragile?
Not at all!
The Phantom light is made to be carried by SOLDIERS or MARINES! It is made of a
tough, chemically resistant plastic that won't crack as a result of contact with
most greases or fluids you handle. Although we don't recommend abusing the
Phantom, it has withstood the pressure of being thrown up against a brick wall
and run over by a HMMWV! {Back to
Top}
What kind of batteries
does it use?
The
Phantom light runs on 4 AA batteries that last an average 180 hours, depending
on the intensity you select during use. The bulbs inside of the light each have
an estimated life of over 50,000 hours each, so replacement will not be
necessary.{Back to Top}
Is the flashlight the
only style?
Actually,
the flashlight version is newer than our cockpit version, which is the unit
mounted in the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS.) This cockpit version
operates from any vehicle's 12 to 24 to 28 DC volt power, or on 120 volt AC. The
vehicle light is interchangeable with the current standard military cockpit
light. There is also a PAR 36/46 replacement lamp version, as well as a new
Phantom Tube which is a replacement for standard fluorescent tube lights found
in tents, TOCs and ships. {Back to Top}
Excerpts from
the 1989 HEL Report [Letter Report 354 "The Development of a Light for Use
with Night Vision Goggles, Ernest Balarzs, March 1989 available from USA
Engineering Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21005-5001
410-278-5201]
p. 5 "Red and white illumination were
not suitable for combat systems because of the R-IR emanation that would be
easily detectable by night image intensification devices."
p. 7 "Discerning the colors presented on
tactical maps or the colors of C&D's could not be accomplished when using
the blue-green light. This again impacted the required capability to conduct
scoot and shoot missions effectively."
p. 8 "Only the [Phantom] light did not
change or shift the colors presented on the tactical and commercial road
maps."
p.8 "[The Phantom light] enabled
accurate discerning of all colored information on military and commercial maps
and allowed observation of the various color coded controls and displays as
clearly as when using incandescent white light."
p.8 "The [Phantom] light's observed
vulnerability signature was found to be equal or less than the BG-7 filtered
light when viewed with the night vision goggles."
p. 8 "When compared to...BG-7 filter
glass, the [Phantom] light design was observed to be equal or better regarding
the red-infrared signature and compatibility during NVG
operations."
p. 16 "The [Phantom] design only
requires 50 percent of the energy that the blue green design uses and therefore
creates a substantially reduced signature."
p. 22 "[The Phantom] light is compatible
with NVGs, is energy efficient, presents a low vulnerability signature , is
economical, and offers further adaptability to meet future requirements.
Furthermore, it permits nighttime map reading without color shifting. It is the
first breakthrough in map reading lighting in 40 years."
