Absolutely agree with Turkeyslapper and SASless - the NVG technology is significantly improved and it is quite straightforward to make an approach to a brightly lit site using them.
It may be that the reluctance to allow their use in non-military operations is in part due to having to keep the USA on-side since they provide the export licences for them.
I don't know how widespread the use of NVG in non-mil ops is in the US but there certainly does seem to have been some paranoia about NVG falling into the wrong hands.
Prawnking's no moon, no,wind, no horizon scenario is still made significantly more comfortable using NVG AND autopilot functions and the rig will provide all the cultural lighting you need.