|
 The Israeli company ITL offers the
Multipurpose Aiming
Reflex Sight (MARS) used as a standard sight on the latest version of
the IDF Tavor assault rifle. MARS projects a circular 0.3 mrad reticle
at the line of fire. The dot brightness is adjusted automatically over
a wide dynamic range (1:10,000). In addition, MARS uses a red-dot
laser aiming light. Both reflex dot and laser dot can be seen with
both eyes open, through the large eye-box designed for optimal
visibility under difficult day or night conditions. An alternative
sight used with the Tavor and
Micro Tavor rifle is the Mepro-21 and
the new RS-22 from the Israeli
company Meprolight.
 
Originally developed for the IDF, Mepro-21 is designed for instinctive
fire in close-quarters, where the use of both eyes is critical. The
sight uses Illumination by a fiber optic collector during the day and
by a miniature self-powered tritium light source at night. Transition
between the two lighting systems is instantaneous and automatic, with
the changing level of aiming dot illumination determined to provide
good contrast between the aiming dot and the target area.
Meprolight is offering a dual illuminated optical
collimating sight for the M-203 grenade launcher, replacing the
standard issue M203 leaf sight supplied with the weapon is only useful
during daylight hours. The new sight functions under all lighting and
weather conditions for 5-8 years without the use of batteries or any
other external source of power. The sight is adjustable for both windage and elevation; it can be mounted to standard sight rails with
suitable adapters or on the M16 carrying handle, retaining the
standard metal sight. During the day, a light collector tube
concentrates available ambient light into a dot and projects it onto
the sight lens. At night, a small tritium light source supplies the
light for the dot.
For other applications ITL introduced the Raptor, a
small form factor, low-silhouette mini-reflex sight. Raptor is
equipped with a motion activated "always ready to fire" mechanism that
eliminates the need for manual turn-on and off operation while
minimizing energy consumption. The day and night capable sight is
mounted on a standard Picatinny rail, and can be augmented with x3
telescope, without zeroing, for extended range operations. The sight
is powered by a single 1.5V AA battery.
One of the most advanced weapon's sights available today is ITL's Viper, a multi-purpose, day and night capable target acquisition sight
and fire control unit, designed for light infantry weapons and rocket
launchers.
Viper
is based on the MPRS unit,
developed for the IMI Refaim
program. Viper weighs about one kilogram and is attached to the
weapon over a standard Picatinny rail integrates an x1 optical (red
dot) sight with data and symbols overlay, laser rangefinder, tilt and
roll sensor (inclinometer) and a powerful processor. The basic Viper
facilitates accurate aiming and firing of direct or indirect fire
(airburst munitions for example) by the use of accurate range
measuring and processing of aim-point ballistic compensation.
Supporting bi-directional communications with the detonation fuse and
automatic fuse programming of intelligent munitions, Viper facilitates
various detonation modes including airburst, through window
(detonation delay) or point impact. Scores of optional devices
including dual wavelength laser pointer, digital compass and GPS,
integrated video CCD camera, wireless data and video communications,
communications relay, dual wavelength laser pointer, and more. Such
add-ons enable "around the corner" viewing capability, using an
eyepiece or PDA to project the line of sight view. Wireless datacom
enables C4I features such as orientation and guidance towards targets,
and video relay within the squad and further back.
IMI took MPRS to new heights by creating a "net
centric" infantry combat team. Under a joint program with IAI/MLM it
is offering the Warrior Compact
Targeter (WACT), which links members of a combat team with their
leaders, team members and their rifle's sights over wireless
communications. The system tracks every member via personal location
reporting unit, to generate detailed situational awareness (SA)
picture in real time. Commanders can watch every rifleman's sight or
assess the situation over a 3D map, perform planning, real-time
tracking or conduct after-action review.
|
