Elbit Systems white phosphor thin-film Gen 3 tubes — FOM 1600 to 2601+ Pinnacle Select — in MX-11769 and MX-10160 formats. Adams Industries.
Elbit Systems of Israel is one of two primary manufacturers of Gen 3 image intensifier tubes for the commercial and government market. Elbit's tube technology uses a thin-film aluminum oxide ion barrier — a physical film layer between the microchannel plate (MCP) and the GaAs photocathode that blocks ion feedback from damaging the photocathode over time. This thin-film construction is the defining characteristic of Elbit tubes versus the filmless construction of L3/Harris tubes.
Elbit offers four FOM tiers of white phosphor tubes: Entry (1600–2000 FOM), Mid (2001–2300 FOM), Pinnacle (2301–2600 FOM), and Pinnacle Select (2601+ FOM). Both MX-11769 (PVS-14/MH-14/PVS-14v2 format) and MX-10160 (binocular and quad-tube format) are available across all four tiers. Adams Industries sources to buyer-specified FOM and coordinates licensed installation — you specify what you need, we source it and document delivered performance.
The ion barrier in a Gen 3 tube prevents ion feedback from the microchannel plate from damaging the GaAs photocathode. Without an ion barrier, MCP-generated ions would backstream toward the photocathode and degrade it over thousands of operational hours. Elbit's thin-film approach places an aluminum oxide film between the MCP output and the photocathode to physically intercept this ion feedback.
The thin film does absorb a small fraction of the photon signal before it reaches the photocathode — this is the light transmission penalty of the thin-film approach versus filmless (L3/Harris) construction. The tradeoff is that the thin film is a well-understood, reliable ion barrier with a long track record across both commercial and government programs. Elbit thin-film tubes are used in U.S. government programs, allied military procurement, and the broadest range of commercially available Gen 3 housings. The FOM range — from 1600 entry through 2601+ Pinnacle Select — covers the widest buyer-selectable performance spread of either manufacturer.
Entry-tier Elbit thin-film WP tubes. GaAs Gen 3 photocathode, white phosphor output, legitimate Gen 3 performance at the lowest entry price point in the Elbit lineup.
Mid-tier thin-film WP. Higher signal-to-noise and center resolution than Entry. For buyers who need more performance than entry-level but don't require Pinnacle specs.
Pinnacle thin-film WP. High-performance Gen 3 with documented FOM above 2300. For professional and operator applications where performance specification matters.
Top-tier Elbit thin-film. FOM 2601+ — the highest Elbit tier, representing the peak of thin-film white phosphor Gen 3 performance available for commercial procurement.
Drop-in for PVS-14, MH-14, PVS-14v2, and any MX-11769 housing. Available in all four Elbit FOM tiers — entry through Pinnacle Select.
For SENTINEL, MH-1, AEON ANVG, PANOS, and other binocular/quad systems. Larger photocathode area. Available in all four Elbit FOM tiers — entry through Pinnacle Select.
| Tier | Technology | FOM | Formats |
| Elbit Entry | Thin-film WP | 1600–2000 | MX-11769, MX-10160 |
| Elbit Mid | Thin-film WP | 2001–2300 | MX-11769, MX-10160 |
| Elbit Pinnacle | Thin-film WP | 2301–2600 | MX-11769, MX-10160 |
| Elbit Pinnacle Select | Thin-film WP | 2601+ | MX-11769, MX-10160 |
ITAR Export Notice: All image intensifier tubes are controlled under ITAR. Export, transfer, or re-export to any non-U.S. person without a valid U.S. Department of State export license is strictly prohibited. All domestic transfers require verification of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency.
Contact Adams Industries with your housing format and target FOM — we'll match the Elbit tube and coordinate installation.
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