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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! {Back to Top}
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. {Back to Top}
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?
The Phantom provides 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 Great LiteTM module.
The Great LiteTM is an unsecure bright white bulb which is several
times brighter than other mini AA lights. It is interchangeable with the
Phantom module. It also can be ordered with a low level high efficiency
solid state bulb (in red, blue, green, or white) that will give you extra
security and flexibility.
{Back to Top}
Is the Phantom
light waterproof?
The flashlight is waterproof
up to 500 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. 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."
*** Soldier Comments from the Field Test Evaluation Forms ***
