At DSEI 2025 in London, French company Exosens unveiled its latest innovation in night vision technology—the fifth-generation (5G) image intensifier tube. Building on decades of expertise under the Photonis brand, this new development signals a significant leap in low-light imaging performance for military applications. With improved resolution, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and spectral sensitivity—including expanded near-infrared (NIR) detection—the 5G tube positions Exosens to further consolidate its role as a key supplier of advanced optoelectronic components to NATO and allied armed forces.
From Photonis to Exosens: Strategic Rebranding with Technological Continuity
Although the new image intensifier was presented under the Exosens name at DSEI 2025, it is the direct successor to technologies developed by Photonis—a legacy French manufacturer with over four decades of experience in electro-optical systems. The Brive-la-Gaillarde facility where the tubes are produced remains operational and central to production. In early 2023, Photonis was rebranded as Exosens following its acquisition by HLD Group and subsequent restructuring into a broader sensing technology group.
This rebranding reflects an ambition to expand beyond traditional defense markets into adjacent sectors such as security and scientific instrumentation. However, defense remains a core focus. According to CEO Jérôme Cerisier during the unveiling at DSEI, “The launch of our fifth-generation tube is not just an incremental improvement—it’s a generational leap that redefines what modern night vision can achieve.”
Technical Enhancements of the 5G Image Intensifier Tube
The new Exosens 5G tube introduces several key upgrades over previous generations:
- Resolution: Increased line pair per millimeter (lp/mm), reportedly exceeding 80 lp/mm—on par or superior to U.S.-made Gen III+ tubes.
- SNR: Enhanced signal-to-noise ratio improves target recognition under extreme low-light conditions.
- Spectral Range: Extended sensitivity into the near-infrared band (~900–1000 nm), enabling better performance with covert IR illumination.
- Halo Size Reduction: Improved microchannel plate (MCP) design reduces halo artifacts around bright light sources.
- Tight Tolerances: More consistent manufacturing yields allow tighter binning for military-grade applications.
The combination of these factors enables clearer imagery in starlight conditions without active illumination—a critical requirement for special operations forces operating under light discipline constraints.
Operational Implications for NATO Forces
The introduction of the Exosens 5G tube comes amid growing demand among NATO militaries for improved night fighting capabilities. While digital night vision solutions are gaining popularity—especially those integrating thermal fusion—the analog intensifier tube remains dominant due to its lower power consumption, latency-free imaging, and superior passive performance in certain environments.
The French Armed Forces are expected to be among the first adopters of the new tubes via integration into next-generation monoculars and weapon sights. Several European OEMs—including Thales and Safran—already source tubes from Exosens for their optronics suites. The company also supplies tubes used in U.S.-made systems via international licensing arrangements or through third-party integrators.
This generation may also find application beyond infantry optics—in UAV payloads requiring lightweight low-light sensors or vehicle-mounted driver vision enhancers (DVE).
Competitive Landscape: How Does It Stack Up?
The global market for image intensifiers is dominated by a few players: Elbit Systems (via Elop), L3Harris Technologies (U.S.), and now Exosens. While U.S.-made Gen III tubes have long been considered gold standard—particularly those using thin-filmed gallium arsenide photocathodes—the performance gap has narrowed significantly in recent years.
According to comparative testing data from European procurement agencies (not publicly released but referenced by industry insiders), Exosens’ Gen II+ and now Gen V tubes meet or exceed many Gen III parameters except perhaps lifespan under continuous illumination stress tests. However, their broader spectral response—including better NIR sensitivity—is often cited as an advantage when paired with modern IR illuminators or laser designators operating above standard NV-compatible wavelengths (~850 nm).
DSEI Launch Context and Future Roadmap
DSEI served as a strategic venue for unveiling the new product given its strong NATO presence and emphasis on soldier modernization programs. The timing aligns with multiple European countries initiating procurement cycles for next-gen dismounted optronics—such as Germany’s IdZ-ES program refresh or Belgium’s CAMO initiative with France.
Cerisier confirmed that volume production of the 5G tube is already underway at Brive-la-Gaillarde with deliveries scheduled before Q1 2026. The company is also exploring hybrid architectures combining intensifiers with digital overlays or embedded AI-based scene enhancement algorithms—a trend increasingly visible across high-end optronics platforms.
Sustainability and Export Considerations
The exportability of advanced night vision components is tightly regulated under both French national controls and multilateral regimes like Wassenaar Arrangement categories ML15/ML11b. However, Exosens has maintained a robust export compliance framework allowing it to supply dozens of allied countries while avoiding diversion risks.
The firm has also invested heavily in reducing environmental impact during manufacturing—particularly around MCP etching chemicals—and aims to certify its Brive facility under ISO14001 standards by late 2026.
Conclusion
The debut of Exosens’ fifth-generation image intensifier marks more than just another product launch—it reflects Europe’s maturing ability to field sovereign electro-optical technologies that rival traditional U.S. dominance in this domain. As battlefield visibility becomes increasingly contested—not just by darkness but also smoke, obscurants, EW interference—the ability to passively detect targets will remain vital across all echelons of warfare.
