The 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 or image intensifier camera and a Class 3 infrared pointer. In the family under the general designation Nyx 200, this device is the most technically advanced … The Nyx-222 has 2x magnification and a high-resolution daytime camera providing an 11.3 ° x8.5 ° field of view. This allows you to detect a target the size of a person at a distance of 350-400 meters, if necessary, you can switch to thermal imaging mode at any time. The built-in IR pointer illuminates targets for the operator wearing night vision goggles, allowing them to fire at the light spot. The digital recorder saves the picture from all channels for later analysis or solving legal issues. The Nyx-222 sight with an adapter and without four batteries weighs 850 grams. The 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 scopes, which are currently in serial production.
The Turkish company Transvaro offers a complete line of day and night scopes. One of the latest additions to this line is the uncooled Engerek-S40 scope with a magnification 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 the size of 640x480 and with a step of 17 microns operates 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 is available. The instrument is equipped with an invisible infrared pointer at a wavelength of 830 nm. The targeting cross is selectable from the menu and an electronic zero setting is available along with a remote control. The base model S40 weighs less than 600 grams without two 18650 Li-ion batteries and optional accessories. The S40W ("W" stands for wireless) is similar to the S40 but does not have an IR pointer. however, it has a number of elements that are optional for the S40 model. A short-range wireless radio frequency channel (less than a meter) is the most important of these, 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 scope to the soldier's helmet-mounted display, as well as to a personal radio station for sending images and video to higher command. A limited memory is built into the sight itself, which allows you to count the shots. The S40W weighs 7000 grams.
Medium wave thermal imaging
Cooled systems in the 3-5 µm wavelength range, 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 the order of 150 ° K, and also have lower power consumption compared to older systems.
Brand new cooled thermal imaging devices for long range sniping were recently shown by Excelitas Qioptiq. The Phoenix-S detachable trailer, which implements the latest MWIR-HOT technology (medium wave [mid] IR spectral region - high operating temperatures), is based on a 640x512 matrix with a pitch of 15 microns and a frame rate of 60 Hz. Thanks to the new technology, eight AA lithium disulfide batteries allow you to work at a temperature of 25 ° C continuously for 6 hours. The Phoenix-S sight with a field of view of 3.8 ° x3.0 ° can be used in combination with daytime optics with a magnification of 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 vehicle, recognition distances are, respectively, 1, 6 and 3.6 km, and identification distances of 800 and 1900 meters. It takes less than 4 minutes to cool the die. The device is equipped with a GPS system, a digital compass and orientation sensors, the weight in working condition, including the lens cap, case and batteries, is less than 1.6 kg. The Phoenix-S sight is designed to be mounted on sniper rifles in.338 LM and 12.7 mm calibers, but due to its compact dimensions of 285x80x95 mm, it can be used with 7.62 mm rifles, as well as with support weapons such as machine guns. The sight is designed to work in combination with the Phoenix-H binoculars for observing and determining the coordinates of the target, which is based on the same sensor with the MWIR HOT technology. These binoculars are 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, which are slated to begin execution in spring 2020.
Introduced in 2014, FLIR Systems' ThermoSight HISS-XLR detachable scope is designed for very long range sniper shooting. 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-quality systems are special forces. Although the 640x480 matrix and the 240mm lens providing the 2.29 ° x 1.72 ° field of view remained the same, the display was replaced. A new, larger display with higher resolution provides high definition images for improved detection and identification ranges. The HISS-XLR sight now has the ability to dock with optics with a magnification of x28, which is almost double that of the original version. Another key improvement is the ability to communicate with all ballistic computers, which allows the shooter to receive all the necessary data through the scope. The new version took into account the comments of users who needed an elevation adjustment so that the shooter could move the crosshair vertically and see the target during shooting at very long distances. 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 fast electronic zeroing. FLIR Systems has been able to maintain the weight and power consumption of less than 6W of the previous variants, while adding 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 installed on the right and the other on the left side of the scope. Without turning off the sight, you can hot-swap one of the blocks, while the device continues to work on the second block.
Shortwave thermal imaging
A new generation of night vision riflescopes is taking the stage. 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 microns. One of the main advantages of these devices is that they allow you to see through glass, for example, windows, glass of cars, etc., which other thermal imaging devices cannot. In addition, they provide much better performance in fog and haze, eliminate optical distortion when firing from a rifle with a hot barrel, while a better image allows to increase the distance of positive identification of a growth target.
The Lithuanian company Brolis Group is actively involved in integrated photonic sensor technology, developing advanced optoelectronic systems for the military and security services. Its portfolio includes the S100U long-range SWIR technology, which includes the latest 640x512 15-micron indium gallium arsenide sensor and an indium phosphide laser diode. The sight is equipped with a 100 mm lens providing a 5.5 ° x4.4 ° field of view, it can be combined with daytime optics with a magnification from x3 to x12. According to the Brolis company, the detection and recognition distances are 3, 8 and 1, 2 km for a growth target, respectively, and 5, 1 and 1.6 km for a NATO standard target. The sight body is made of 7075 aluminum alloy and can withstand the recoil of sniper rifles up to 12.7mm caliber. The S100U is equipped with a built-in Class 4 laser illuminator operating at 1550 nm. This device with an adjustable output power of up to 1.5 W and an operating range of up to 3 km has a mechanical control of the beam divergence, adjustable from 10 to 70 milliradians for operation in complete darkness or when illuminated through windows. Images can be recorded onto a micro-SD card, and a PAL video output is also available. The S100U sight is powered by eight CR123A batteries providing over seven hours of operation; power consumption with laser illumination off is less than 7W. The dimensions of the device weighing less than 2.1 kg are 260x110x120 mm.
In the fall of 2016, the German company AIM Infrarot-Module presented a demo of its removable thermal imaging sight for snipers and high-level shooters. It operates in an extended SWIR range, in the range of 0.9-2.5 microns, which makes it possible to detect light marks generated by lasers operating at a wavelength of 2.5 microns. The sight, which received the designation HuntiR, was developed for several years in close cooperation with the Command of the German special forces KSK (Kommando Spezialkrafte). Two years later, a prototype was shown, at that time it would seem with the final characteristics: the field of view is 8 ° x6 °, the dimensions are 145x110x95 mm and the weight is 1 kg, the battery life is 4 hours. But later, the German special forces KSK demanded improved optics, capable of operating at distances over 1 km, which slightly increased the weight to 1.1 kg. At DSEI 2019, it turned out that KSK required further improvements. To work in hot climates, a new housing was needed to provide better cooling, a new keypad was also requested, and it was necessary to switch from special batteries 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 scope with final specifications will be ready at the end of March 2020.
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 estimates the hit on the target as high, of course, it also takes into account the external conditions. The built-in computer stores data from various weapons, at the moment 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 increases the probability of hitting the first shot from 100 meters to 80%, which practically makes inexperienced and experienced soldiers equal. Since its very first appearance, the system has continuously evolved and now SmartShooter offers two options: SMASH 2000 and SMASH 2000 Plus. The second model is equipped with a counter-drone mode, which allows you to fire at air targets in the daytime at altitudes up to 200 meters; typical ranges of firing at stationary and mobile targets in the daytime are 300 meters. While daytime indication is available on the transparent screen of the DSLR, in night mode it is displayed on video displays for low light. The system consists of an aiming unit and a fire blocking mechanism, which is built into the pistol grip with a safety clip, which replaces the original grip on the weapon. The sight is compact, has dimensions 195x87, 5x81 mm, weighs 980 grams, power is provided by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack, which guarantees 72 hours of operation or up to 3600 shots with the SMASH system. The sight is equipped with a near infrared illuminator and a built-in video recording function.
After a year of operational testing in the Israeli army, the SMASH system has been improved, and the human-machine interface has also been updated. The system is currently being adopted to supply the Israeli military, which has already been used against flying threats launched from the Gaza Strip.
It was 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 6.5mm Creedmoor cartridge and 6.8mm Remington SPC cartridge. According to SmartShooter, not only special forces have shown interest in the SMASH system, but also the regular army, which is currently conducting an operational assessment.
