The commercial success of the Smart Shooter SMASH
SMASH 2000 riflescopes are ready for mounting on weapon... Photo by Smart Shooter Ltd.
Several years ago, the Israeli company Smart Shooter Ltd. (Kibbutz Yagur) brought to the market an original development - the “smart sight” SMASH. Later, on the basis of new technologies, several similar products were developed with various capabilities. The sight with the function of automatic calculation of corrections for shooting expectedly attracted the attention of the armies, and some of them even adopted it.
Domestic order
The SMASH scope almost immediately caught the attention of the Israel Defense Forces. The ground forces ordered the revision of the original project in order to better match the products to their needs. This work was entrusted to the Smart Shooter company and the Department of Research and Development of the Ministry of Defense.
The process of revision, testing and refinement lasted about a year and ended in success. In March 2018, it became known that the IDF was adopting the modified SMASH 2000 sight and ordering its serial production. An order has been reported for 2250 new scopes with delivery by 2020. News the delivery of the first batch of 250 items for the 84th Givati Motorized Infantry Brigade was expected.
"Smart sight", view from the shooter's side. Photo by Smart Shooter Ltd.
In the future, it was planned to re-equip other formations of the ground forces in need of modern small arms with effective sighting equipment. The order for 2250 sights made it possible to re-equip a significant part of the infantry units, but by no means the entire army.
By now, Smart Shooter Ltd. was supposed to complete the execution of the contract from 2018. Whether it was possible to produce the necessary "smart sights" within the specified time frame is unknown. There is also no information about the intentions of the IDF to order new batches of SMASH for the rearmament of new units and units. At the same time, in the past, it was repeatedly said about the high results obtained with the help of new sights.
American contract
In 2018, it was reported that the development company is looking for new customers for its sights among foreign armies. The leading NATO countries were of particular interest to her. It soon became known that the SMASH sights had caught the attention of the Pentagon. In 2019, testing of such equipment began in the interests of the ground forces, the marines and the air force.
Basic sights of the line. Smart Shooter Ltd.
In 2019-20. The US Department of Defense has reported on several occasions that it has conducted test firings with the Israeli SMASH 2000 and SMASH 2000 Plus smart scopes. Such events were held both at American training grounds and abroad. In particular, it is known about the shooting in the controlled part of Syria. In general, the scopes proved their potential and got good marks.
In June last year, the Pentagon made a decision to purchase and adopt SMASH 2000 products. The volume and value of the contract, as well as the specifics of production and delivery times were not specified. However, the army has revealed its plans to use the new equipment.
During the tests, it was noted that the standard small arms with a new sight are planned to be used, first of all, to combat small-sized unmanned aerial vehicles. Such targets are particularly difficult, and the "smart sight" is able to take on the most difficult calculations and dramatically increase the effectiveness of fire. Accordingly, the shooters are able to effectively resist the typical threats of the present time.
Sights for the fleet
Israeli SMASH sights were tested in India last year. The naval forces, planning to re-equip their special forces, showed interest in such products. According to the test results, "smart sights" were recognized as suitable for adoption. In early December, the Indian Navy and Smart Shooter signed a contract.
Smart scopes. Smart Shooter Ltd.
Special Forces Indian fleet will receive an unnamed number of SMASH 2000 Plus scopes for use with AK-103 assault rifles. As far as we know, this is the first attempt at mass integration of Israeli scopes and Russian-designed assault rifles. Apparently, the software of the sights will be modified taking into account different ballistics.
In the case of India, we are talking only about the rearmament of naval special forces. Perhaps, in the wake of these events, special forces from other military branches will show interest in SMASH. At the same time, there is no talk of the mass introduction of "smart sights" throughout the army.
On the eve of the contract
In October 2020, the Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands announced that it was testing the SMASH sights. These events were attended by soldiers of the ground forces, marines, navy, air force and special operations forces. For the first time, the servicemen got acquainted with the Israeli development and immediately got the opportunity to test it at the training ground. The shooting was carried out at targets and small-sized UAVs.
IDF fighters use weapons with "smart sights". Photo by the Israeli Ministry of Defense
The scopes confirmed high performance and ensured the destruction of all targets, and the lack of experience among the shooters did not prevent this. SMASH products received a good assessment, and now the Ministry of Defense is deciding the issue of adopting such products for service. The supply contract may appear in the very near future.
Also in October, Smart Shooter signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Brazilian firm Opto S&D. According to the document, the two organizations will study the needs of the Brazilian army and security forces, and then come out with a commercial proposal. Accordingly, the next tests may begin in the near future - with understandable results.
Has no analogues
Israeli-designed “smart sights” enjoy a certain popularity among various customers. They have already been supplied by the IDF and the successful search for foreign customers continues. The most important precondition for such results is the technical features of the project. SMASH sights have original ideas that have a positive effect on the effectiveness of fire - and attract customers.
Scope tests by the US Army, June 2020
The SMASH product is not just a sight, but a complete fire control system for personal infantry weapons. Such a sight is made in the form of a large (in comparison with other sights) box, on the top of which there is a collimator. The sight is mounted on standard strips and is capable of autonomous operation for 72 hours without reloading. Product weight - up to 1,5 kg.
A video camera and a laser rangefinder for observing and tracking a target are located in the front end of the body. The rear end is designed like a remote control with buttons. To improve the accuracy of the fire, the shooter must aim the reticle on the target and turn on the tracking. In this case, the sight “remembers” the selected object, determines the distance to it and calculates the corrections for shooting, outputting the data to the collimator. This method of aiming significantly increases accuracy and accuracy.
Another factor influencing sales is the availability of multiple products with different functions. We offer a “simple” collimator sight with a computing unit, a system with advanced communication and integration functions, products based on an optical sight, etc. All of them have obvious advantages and can find their customers.
UAVs-targets after testing in the Netherlands, October 2020
However, the main factor affecting the popularity of SMASH sights is the lack of alternatives. There are no similar developments with similar characteristics on the market. The Smart Shooter company noted in 2018 that it will take at least 3-5 years to create analogs - these terms are suitable only now.
Uncontested benefits
Thus, Smart Shooter Ltd. entered the market with a unique development and immediately became a monopolist. This state of affairs continues to this day and helps to receive more and more orders. Three countries have already wished to receive serial sights, another is preparing to sign a contract, and the other will receive an offer in the near future.
The interest of the armies in the subject of "smart sights" is obvious. Apparently, he did not go unnoticed, and other manufacturers of sighting systems are already developing their answers to Israeli SMASH products. How soon they will appear and what market share they will take from the existing family is unknown. However, the formation and filling of a new market niche, most likely, is now only a matter of time, and Smart Shooter should prepare for the emergence of a mass of competitors.
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