German engineering is supposed to be visionary. It’s supposed to live on the cutting edge of being technologically prophetic while simultaneously eschewing flab and harnessing prudence in its peerless execution of sublime form and function.

It’s not supposed to rubber stamp your grandmother and how she likes it behind the wheel.

But, incredibly, that’s what’s happened in the case of a number of military aircraft recently deployed to Syria, as reported by Bild — a tabloid based in Berlin (click that link at your own risk).

This from Defense News:

German Tornado jets deployed to Syria for reconnaissance missions can’t fly at night.

The six aircraft sent to Syria are fitted with surveillance technology, and had been touted as being capable of taking high-resolution photos and infrared images, even at night and in bad weather.

But Bild reported that night flights were impossible as pilots are blinded by the cockpit light, which is far too bright.

A Defense Ministry spokesman admitted that there is “a small technical problem that has to do with the cockpit lighting.

“It is possible that the night goggles worn by pilots result in reflections,” he said, adding that the ministry was looking at resolving the problem within the next two weeks.

He added that there was “currently no need to fly at night in Syria” and that the deployment was performing at “100 percent.”

At least their pilots are now promised a good night’s rest.