Editing Dual-use technology (section)

== Night vision and thermal imaging ==
[[Night-vision device]]s with extraordinary performance characteristics (high [[Gain (electronics)|gain]], specific [[spectral sensitivity]], fine [[Optical resolution|resolution]], low [[Noise (electronics)|noise]]) are heavily export-restricted by the few states capable of producing them, mainly to limit their [[Small arms proliferation issues|proliferation]] to enemy combatants, but also to slow the inevitable [[reverse-engineering]] undertaken by other world powers.

These precision components, such as the [[image intensifiers]] used in [[night vision goggles]] and the [[focal plane array]]s found in [[surveillance satellites]] and [[thermal camera]]s, have numerous civil applications which include [[nature photography]], [[medical imaging]], [[firefighting]], and [[population control]] of predator species.

Night scenes of wild elephants and rhinos in the [[BBC]] nature documentary series [[Africa (BBC documentary series)|Africa]] were shot on a Lunax Starlight HD camera (a custom-built [[digital cinema]] rig encompassing a Generation 3 image intensifier), and recolored digitally.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Meet the BBC Natural History Unit's kit-hacking specialists|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/wired-bbc-natural-history|magazine=Wired UK|access-date=9 December 2016|date=2014-02-06}}</ref>

In the United States, civilians are free to buy and sell American-made night vision and thermal systems, such as those manufactured by defense contractors [[Harris Corporation|Harris]], [[L3 Technologies|L3 Insight]], and [[FLIR Systems]], with very few restrictions. However, American night vision owners may not bring the equipment out of the country, sell it internationally, or even invite non-citizens to examine the technology, per [[International Traffic in Arms Regulations]].<ref>{{cite web|title=FAQ|url=https://tnvc.com/faq/|website=Tactical Night Vision Company|access-date=9 December 2016}}</ref>

Export of American image intensifiers is selectively permitted under license by the [[United States Department of Commerce]] and the [[Department of State|State Department]]. Contributing factors in acquiring a license include diplomatic relations with the destination country, number of pieces to be sold, and the relative quality of the equipment itself, expressed using a [[Night vision device#Figure of merit|Figure Of Merit]] (FOM) score calculated from several key performance characteristics.

Competing international manufacturers (European defense contractor Exosens Group, Japanese scientific instrument giant [[Hamamatsu Photonics]], and Russian state-financed laboratory JSC Katod) have entered the American market through licensed importers. In spite of their foreign origin, re-export of these components outside of the United States is restricted similarly to domestic components.

A 2012 assessment of the sector by the [[Department of Commerce]] and [[Bureau of Industry and Security]] made the case for relaxing export controls in light of the narrowing performance gap and increased competition internationally,<ref>{{cite web|title=Critical Technology Assessment: Night Vision Focal Plane Arrays, Sensors, and Cameras|url=https://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/forms-documents/about-bis/newsroom/630-night-vision-assessment/file|website=bis.doc.gov|publisher=US Department of Commerce|access-date=9 December 2016}}</ref> and a review period undertaken by the [[Directorate of Defense Trade Controls]] in 2015 introduced much more granular performance definitions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Export Control Reform Comes to USML Category XII|url=http://www.exportlawblog.com/archives/6910|website=Export Law Blog|access-date=9 December 2016}}</ref>