The Alaska State Troopers’ (AST) Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) program is seeking to acquire advanced night vision goggles for officers who serve in the tactical law enforcement program, a group tasked with resolving critical incidents that exceed the capabilities of traditional first responders.

A Sept. 5 request for proposals notes that the Troopers operate a Tier II SWAT program with teams strategically posted in the Southern, Southcentral, and Northern regions of Alaska. These teams are primarily focused on hard-to-reach villages, located away from the main urban hubs.

“Our mission is to preserve lives and restore public safety during high-risk incidents, including hostage situations, barricaded subjects, high-risk apprehensions, high-risk warrant service, and dignitary protection,” the RFP states. “We deploy across Alaska’s vast and often remote geography, responding to critical threats to public safety.”

In order to maintain operational effectiveness and officer safety in remote and often complex and hazardous environments, the SWAT program is seeking dual-tube night vision goggles (NVG) and accessories.

The RFP notes that due to Alaska’s unique geography and climate, SWAT team members are frequently working in periods of extended darkness, particularly during winter months when daylight is limited.

“These devices will significantly enhance situational awareness, target identification, and team coordination in low-light and no-light conditions,” the RFP states. “By equipping operations with NVGs, AST SWAT will be able to safely maneuver, identify threats, and execute tactical resolutions during operations that occur frequently in darkness. This capability is essential to minimizing risks to the public, suspects, and law enforcement personnel while ensuring missions are conducted with the highest degree of precision and safety.”

The goggles sought by the Alaska State Troopers utilize two image intensifier tubes to provide a stereoscopic view, offering enhanced depth perception and situational awareness, which make them popular among military and law enforcement agencies.

According to Steele Industries, a major manufacturer of night vision goggles, one key benefit of the dual-tube NVGs is their ability to provide a wider field of view compared to single-tube devices.

“This expanded field of view allows users to scan a larger area without moving their heads excessively, increasing operational efficiency and reducing the risk of missing critical details,” the company website notes. “The dual tube design enhances contrast, allowing for better target identification even in low-light conditions.”

The Troopers are planning to issue a contract to purchase the goggles by November.

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