Trends marked: accuracy of small arms above all
The Meprolight Nyx 200 riflescope family also includes a high sensitivity daylight camera for low light and an IR pointer. The most technologically advanced is the Nyx 222
Israeli company Meprolight has developed a multifunctional device Nyx-222, which combines a thermal imaging channel based on a 640x480 matrix with a pitch of 17 microns, a day camera or a camera with an image intensifier tube and a Class 3 infrared pointer. In the family under the common designation Nyx 200, this device is the most technically advanced . The Nyx-222 has an x2 magnification and a high resolution daylight camera providing a field of view of 11.3 ° x8.5 °. This allows you to detect a target the size of a person at a distance of 350-400 meters, if necessary, at any time, you can switch to thermal imaging mode. The built-in IR pointer, illuminating the targets by the operator who wears night vision devices, allows you to fire at a light spot. A digital recording device saves a picture from all channels for further analysis or solving legal issues. The Nyx-222 sight with an adapter and without four batteries weighs 850 grams. Batteries weigh about 60 grams, but the weight doubles when choosing a rechargeable battery. The Nyx-212 is equivalent to the previous model, but has an x1 magnification and weighs 150 grams less. Meprolight has already received orders for its Nyx sights, which are currently in serial production.
Introduced at the beginning of 2019, the Dragonit S 12 Detachable Thermal Sight from Excelitas Qioptiq is ready for production, as several orders have already been received for it
The Turkish company Transvaro has developed the Engerek-SAO thermal imaging sight in the "W" version (pictured), equipped with a wireless communication channel, through which images from the sight are sent to the helmet-mounted display of the owner
The Turkish company Transvaro offers a full line of day and night sights. One of the latest additions to this line is the uncooled Engerek-S40 sight with an increase of x1.3, which allows it to be used in close combat, as well as when mounted on assault rifles - at medium distances. The matrix of the device with a size of 640x480 and with a step of 17 microns works in the range of 8-14 microns and can be used in full-fledged thermal imaging and contour modes. The field of view is 16.3 ° x12.2 °, electronic magnification x2 and x4 are available. The device is equipped with a pointer that operates in the invisible IR spectrum at a wavelength of 830 nm. The crosshair can be selected from the menu, electronic zeroing is available along with remote control. The basic S40 model weighs less than 600 grams without two 18650 lithium-ion batteries and optional accessories. The S40W (“W” means wireless) is similar to the S40, but does not have an IR pointer. but it has a number of elements that are optional for the S40 model. A short-range wireless radio channel (less than a meter) is the most important of them; it operates at a very high frequency close to 10 GHz, which makes it difficult to jam. A one-way communication channel transmits images from the sight to the soldier's helmet-mounted display, as well as to a personal radio station to send images and videos to the higher command. A limited memory is built into the sight itself, which allows you to keep track of shots. The S40W weighs 7000 grams.
Excelitas Qioptiq Phoenix-S is based on the new MWIR HOT sensor, which needs less energy to cool, which increases the overall system runtime
Medium wave thermal imaging
Cooled systems in the wavelength range of 3-5 μm, in contrast to the systems described above, are able to see a smaller temperature difference. Compared to previous types of sensors with operating temperatures of about 80 ° K, the new sensors operate at higher temperatures of about 150 ° K, and also have lower power consumption compared to older systems.
The all-new long-range cooled thermal imaging devices for sniping have recently been shown by Excelitas Qioptiq. The removable Phoenix-S trailer, which implements the latest MWIR-HOT technology (mid-wave [medium] IR-range - high operating temperatures), is based on a 640x512 matrix with a pitch of 15 μm and a frame rate of 60 Hz. Thanks to the new technology, eight AA lithium-disulfide batteries allow working at a temperature of 25 ° С continuously for 6 hours. The Phoenix-S with a field of view of 3.8 ° x 3.0 ° can work in combination with daylight optics with magnification up to x25. According to the company, the detection distance is 4,5 km for a growth target and 8,8 km for a target the size of an armored car, recognition distances are 1,6 and 3,6 km, respectively, and identification distances are 800 and 1900 meters. Matrix cooling takes less than 4 minutes. The device is equipped with a GPS system, a digital compass and orientation sensors, the mass in working condition, including the lens cap, case and batteries is less than 1,6 kg. The Phoenix-S is designed to be mounted on .338 LM and 12,7 mm caliber sniper rifles, but thanks to its compact dimensions of 285x80x95 mm, it can be used with 7,62 mm caliber rifles as well weapons support, for example, machine guns. The sight is designed to work in combination with observation binoculars and determine the coordinates of the target Phoenix-H, which is based on the same sensor with MWIR NOT technology. This binocular is capable of transmitting the target to the shooter, since both systems are equipped with wireless communication. Excelitas Qioptiq has already received several orders from unnamed special units, the implementation of which is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2020.
FUR Systems' ThermoSight H1SS-XLR, although it appeared on the market several years ago, is constantly being updated. For example, an angle adjustment has been introduced in order to see the target when shooting at very long ranges
The FLIR Systems ThermoSight HISS-XLR retractable scope, which appeared on the market in 2014, is designed for sniper shooting at very long ranges. Although the instrument is almost 6 years old, FLIR is constantly upgrading it to meet customer requirements. The company does not disclose the customers of this system, but it is clear that the main buyers of such high-class systems are special forces. Although the 640x480 matrix and a 240 mm lens, providing a field of view of 2.29 ° x1.72 °, remained the same, the display was replaced. The new larger, higher-resolution display delivers a high-definition standard image, which increases detection and identification ranges. The HISS-XLR sight has now got the opportunity to dock with optics with a magnification of x28, which is almost twice as much as the original version. Another key improvement is the ability to align with all ballistic computers, which allows the shooter to get all the necessary data through the scope. The new version took into account the comments of users who needed to adjust the elevation so that the shooter could move the vertical crosshair vertically and see the target during shooting at very long ranges. The sight is also qualified for weapons of 12,7 mm caliber. Another software modification made it possible to obtain an improved aiming point and the possibility of rapid electronic zeroing. FLIR Systems was able to save weight and power consumption of less than 6 watts of the previous options, but at the same time added new features. The weight of the HISS-XLR sight measuring 292x110x76 mm with two battery packs is 1,89 kg. Each of the blocks consists of four CR123 batteries, one block is mounted on the right and the other on the left side of the sight. Without turning off the sight, you can hot-swap one of the blocks, while the device continues to work on the second block.
The Lithuanian company Brolis is one of the first companies to enter the market with a removable scope of SWIR technology, which allows, among other things, to see through the windows and windows of cars
Short wave thermal imaging
A new generation of night vision sights comes onto the scene. These systems are based on SWIR (Short Wave Infra Red) technology sensors operating in the short-wave (far) infrared region of the spectrum, as a rule, in the range of 0,9-1,7 μm. One of the main advantages of these devices is that they allow you to see through glass, for example, windows, car windows, etc., which other thermal imaging devices cannot. In addition, they provide much better characteristics in fog and haze, exclude optical distortion when shooting from a rifle with a hot barrel, while a better image allows you to increase the distance of positive identification of the growth target.
The Lithuanian company Brolis Group is actively engaged in the technology of integrated photonic sensors, developing advanced optoelectronic systems for the military and security services. Its portfolio includes the long-range mountable S100U sight of SWIR technology, which includes the latest 640x512 matrix with 15 micron pitch on indium and gallium arsenide and an indium phosphide laser diode. The sight is equipped with a 100 mm lens, providing a field of view of 5.5 ° x4.4 °, it can be combined with daytime optics with an increase from x3 to x12. According to Brolis, the detection and recognition distances for the growth target are 3,8 and 1,2 km, respectively, and 5,1 and 1,6 km for the purpose of the NATO standard. The sight body is made of aluminum alloy 7075 and can withstand recoil of sniper rifles of caliber up to 12,7 mm. The S100U is equipped with an integrated Class 4 laser illumination device operating at a wavelength of 1550 nm. This device with an adjustable output power of up to 1,5 W and a working range of up to 3 km has a mechanical beam divergence control, adjustable from 10 to 70 milliradians to work in complete darkness or when illuminated through windows. Images can be recorded to a micro-SD memory card, PAL video output is also available. The S100U is powered by eight CR123A batteries, providing more than seven hours of operation; power consumption when the laser backlight is off is less than 7 watts. The dimensions of the device weighing less than 2,1 kg are 260x110x120 mm.
The HuntiR sight developed by the German company AIM Infrarot-Module operates in the SWIR range. According to AIM Infrarot-Module, the first HuntiR sight with final characteristics will be ready in late March 2020.
SmartShooter is constantly improving its products in close collaboration with the Israeli army, resulting in SMASH 2000 and 2000+ sights. The second model is characterized by an additional anti-UAV mode
In the fall of 2016, the German company AIM Infrarot-Module presented a demo of its removable thermal imaging sight for snipers and high-ranking shooters. It operates in the extended SWIR range, in the range of 0,9–2,5 μm, which makes it possible to detect light marks generated by lasers operating at a wavelength of 2,5 μm. The HuntiR designation was developed for several years in close collaboration with the German Special Forces Command KSK (Kommando Spezialkrafte). Two years later, a prototype was shown, at that time it would seem with the final characteristics: field of view 8 ° x6 °, dimensions 145x110x95 mm and weight 1 kg, battery life 4 hours. But later, German KSK special forces demanded improved optics, capable of providing work at distances of more than 1 km, which slightly increased the weight to 1,1 kg. At DSEI 2019, it was revealed that KSK required further refinements. To work in hot climates, a new case is needed to provide better cooling, a new keypad was also required, and special batteries needed to be switched to standard batteries. At the same time, the weight remained the same as that of the demo sample. According to AIM Infrarot-Module, the first HuntiR sight with final specifications will be ready at the end of March 2020.
The Israeli company Elbit Systems recently introduced the SmartSight sight - an additional digital device that includes a GPS module and an inertial unit. The sight with indication of compass and laser rangefinder data can be equipped with an optional wireless protected data channel
The SMASH 2000 fire control system is being tested with an M4 rifle. It captures the target and allows you to shoot only when the defeat is almost guaranteed
Fire control systems
The Israeli company SmartShooter offers its line of SMASH sights, which are actually fire control systems (FCS). Developed in close cooperation with the Israeli army, the SMASH system allows the shooter to open fire only when the system evaluates the hit on the target as high, of course, it also takes into account external conditions. The built-in computer stores data from various weapons, currently from M4 and AR-15 rifles with M193 or M855 cartridges of 5,56 mm caliber and SR25 and M110 sniper rifles with 7,62 mm M188LR cartridge. According to the company, the system allows to increase the probability of hitting the first shot from 100 meters to 80%, which practically equalizes inexperienced and experienced soldiers. Since its inception, the system has evolved continuously and SmartShooter now offers two options: SMASH 2000 and SMASH 2000 Plus. The second model is equipped with an anti- drones, which allows you to fire at air targets in the daytime at altitudes up to 200 meters; typical firing distances against fixed and moving targets during daylight hours are 300 meters. While the daytime indication is available on the reflex sight's clear screen, in the night mode it is shown on the low light video displays. The system consists of an aiming block and a fire blocking mechanism that is built into the pistol grip with a safety clip that replaces the original grip on the weapon. The sight is compact, measures 195x87,5x81 mm, weighs 980 grams, and is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack that guarantees 72 hours of operation or up to 3600 shots with the SMASH system. The sight is equipped with an illuminator in the near infrared range and a built-in video recording function.
After a year of field testing in the Israeli army, the SMASH system has been improved, and the human-machine interface has also been updated. The system has now been adopted to supply the Israeli armed forces, in which it has already been used against flying threats launched from the Gaza Strip.
It is also purchased by several structures of the American army. which led to the addition of new ballistic tables for new types of ammunition, including the 6,5 mm Creedmoor cartridge and the 6,8 mm Remington SPC cartridge. According to SmartShooter, not only special forces showed interest in the SMASH system, but also the regular army, which is currently conducting its operational assessment.
Information