Abstract
The feasibility of using light attenuation devices (LADs) to simulate night visibility during daylight for training night rifle marksmanship in the Army was investigated. Various illumination levels were produced by either different LAD filters having optical densities (o.d.) of 5.3, 5.0, and 4.5 or by various phases of the moon (i.e., new, quarter, and full). A total of 15 training companies (n = 1266 males and females) undergoing basic combat training first practiced and then fired for record at targets 25 m and 50 m away. Results for both simulated and actual darkness indicated that lower marksmanship accuracy was evidenced during the new moon and with the 5.3 o.d. filter than for the remaining moon phases and LAD filters. More important, though, was the finding that accuracy with the various density LADs closely approximated those observed during corresponding phases of actual moonlight. These findings suggest that LADs can be successfully applied as either an adjunct or substitute for actual night practice and testing.
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