Compendium by

Special Ops &

Soldier Small Arms,
Sights & Accessories

Mix it with electronics

INTERNATIONAL: The trusted source for defence technology information since 1976
 Fitted on a sniper rifle the
Merlin LR sight offers a
two-kilometre detection range
under quarter moonlight.

Assault Rifles
Looking at a soldier from a platform perspective, key factors are firepower, mobility,
protection and C4I. Mobility is affected by the other three elements though weight also
plays its distorting role in this department. Firepower is the kinetic winner of the
engagement with the enemy while C4I provides the situational awareness and
thereby an edge over the enemy. Protection is now being extended from the torso to
other parts of the body, particularly as a result of the wounds inflicted by new threats
such as roadside bombs. For ease of use, this survey is divided into four sections,
namely Assault Rifles, Weapon Sights, Indirect Fire and Vital Peripherals.

Paolo Valpolini carbine. Reducing dimensions of a non- cancelled in 2006 but has surfaced again,
bullpup rifle means reducing barrel length, although a mild approach has been adopted
which in turn generates a drop in the V0, known as “Dual Path Strategy”. In other

L
ETHALITY IS one of the major issues
and is a combination of situational
awareness, firepower, ammunition
terminal effect and accurate sighting.
So let’s start with the infantryman’s best
friend, the assault rifle.
Urban warfare has heavily impacted the
basic infantryman tool in terms of
dimensions, compactness being the choice as
evidenced in America when the Green
Army shifted from the M16 rifle to the M4
usually with dire consequences on lethality.
Among western armies the M4 with its
356-mm-long barrel remains the benchmark
type, although reports from the field have
shown some criticism regarding its reliability
in sand and dusty environments due to the
direct impingement or ‘gas-tube’ system that
tends to bring carbon blow-back into the
chamber, while the very hot gases used to
cycle the weapon generate heat problems.
The idea of replacing the M4 was
words the US Army intends to continue
with the M4 upgrade in a phased approach,
but in the mean time carry on with the
Individual Carbine (IC) competition –
service requirements having been approved
in August 2010. The open competition
outcome will see the three best performers
being awarded indefinite delivery/indefinite
quantity contracts before limited user
experiments by the Army. The winner will
then fight against the upgraded M4 for the

Compendium Special Operations 2/2012 01

 A US Army soldier shooting with his M4 carbine. The short
barrel of that weapon has commanded the development of
new rounds to compensate for the poor penetration capacity
of the original M855. (US Army)
final contract. Whether the new weapon or
upgraded M4 will completely replace the
current carbine is still open to questions as
indeed limited funding might call for a
mixed solution. What is sure is that the
Army intends to buy the Technical Data
Package rights in order to run a production
competition to obtain the best possible
manufacturing price.
The M4 improvement phased approach
includes the acquisition of 25,000 M4A1
carbines featuring the ambidextrous fire
control assemblies and that of 65,000 kits to
convert M4s into M4A1s, those numbers
depending on budgets. The A1 adopts a
heavier barrel and is fully automatic while
the original M4 fires in semi-auto and
three-round-burst modes. Phase II will see
A picture of the
Individual
Carbine version
of Heckler &
Koch’s HK416.
No further
details were
given on that
version of the
weapon.
(Heckler & Koch)
02 Compendium Special Operations 2/2012
The malfunctions due to the M4 direct impingement system started a dual path
process that might lead to the acquisition of new weapons and to the upgrade of
current ones. (US Army)
the adoption of a new forward rail, bolts
and bolt carrier assemblies, aiming at
improving durability and increasing
accessory integration. Phase III will look
into an alternative to the current gas
impingement system.
Under Socom pressure Heckler & Koch
(HK) developed an M4 derivative, the
HK416, fitted with a proprietary gas system
derived from that used in the G36 assault
rifle. Here a short-stroke piston drives the
operating rod that controls the bolt, first
suppressing propellant gases and carbon
fouling from coming in contact with the
bolt, and secondly reducing heat transfer to
the bolt and bolt carrier.
Available with four different barrel lengths
(264 mm, 368 mm, 419 mm and 505 mm), a
Heckler & Koch M27 IAR
adopted by the US Marine
Corps as a replacement for the
M249 Saw. (Heckler Koch)
first batch of 500 HK416s was acquired by the
Special Operations Command for its
Operational Detachment Delta. Numerous
special forces units worldwide have adopted
the HK weapon, which obtained its first
success in a “green army” in Norway where a
first order for 8200 rifles was filed in 2007. HK
also provides the upper receiver module to be
installed on lower receivers for upgrading
existing M4/M16.
The HK416 is amongst the competitors
running for the Army IC. No details were
provided by HK USA, which only refers to
considerable improvements (the only
picture released shows an M4 type stock
and a different pistol grip). The HK416 was
selected by the US Marine Corps for a
totally different role. Equipped with the
16.5-inch barrel cum M16-style flash hider
and a series of accessories it won the M27
Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR) bid that
looked for a magazine-fed weapon to
replace the M249 Saw light machine gun, a
derivative of the Minimi.
The IAR includes Knight’s Armament
600-metre micro/backup iron sights and
Trijicon’s Acog 3.5 x 35 Squad Automatic
Weapon Day Optic. A low-rate initial
production order for 500 rifles was signed
in early 2010, with deliveries completed by
November that same year. Following
operational trials in the first half of 2011,
September that year saw the M27 IAR being
given the green light for full-rate
production. Each Marine squad will field
three M27s, one per four-man team, for a
total of over 4000 such rifles which, fully
loaded, weigh less than half a Saw.
Back to the US Army carbine, Colt itself
developed an upgraded version of the M4
 ASSAULT RIFLES/CARBINES IN 5.56 X 45 MM
Manufacturer Colt Colt Colt Heckler & Koch Heckler & Koch Remington Remington
Model M16A4 M-4 APC / P0923 HK416 (14.5”) M27 IAR ACR (14.5”) RGP (14.5”)
Mode 3 rds burst 3 rds burst Semi-auto/Auto Semi-auto/Auto Semi-auto/Auto
Length extended 1000.3 mm 838 mm 838 mm 900 mm 953 mm 829-902 mm 863 mm
Length stock
n.a. 757 mm 757 mm 804 mm 851 mm 654 mm 777 mm
folded/retracted
Barrel length 508 mm 356 mm 356 mm 368 mm 420 mm 368 mm 368 mm
Barrel twist 1 in 7 1 in 7 1 in 7 1 in 7 1 in 7 1 in 7
Rate of fire 700-950 rpm 700-950 rpm 700-950 rpm 850 rpm 700-900 rpm 650-700 rpm
Magazine 30 rounds 30 rounds 30 rounds 20/30 rounds 30 rounds 30 rounds 30 rounds
Weight 3.26 kg 2.77 kg 3.18 kg 3.49 kg 3.70 kg ** 3.57 kg * 3.15 kg *

* Without magazine; ** Weapon only, without magazine and accessories

known as P0923 or Advanced Piston
Carbine, which adopts the Articulating Link
Piston operating system that reduces
stresses in the piston strike. The weapon
fires in semi-auto and automatic modes and
maintains the same metrics as the M4 with a
weight increase of about 400 grams.
Remington is following both paths of the
US Army approach, providing an upgrade
to the existing M16/M4 type weapons as
well as a newly developed weapon. The
upgrade comes in the form of the RGP, for
Remington Gas Piston, which can be
provided either as a new weapon or as a
drop-in kit for existing carbines.
The new upper receiver is built around a
mid-length gas-piston operating system that
allows firing in unsuppressed and suppressed
modes without the need for a gas regulator.
The kit comes with cold hammer-forged 10.5-
inch or 14.5-inch barrels in medium or heavy
profile, which can be changed in less than five
minutes. The free-floating handguard is
provided with cable routing guides and
removable Picatinny rails. The RGP is
proposed by the company as the upgrade
solution for Phase III of the M4 upgrade.
A different solution is proposed in the IC
bid, the Adaptive Combat Rifle (ACR) being
a new weapon based on a development
carried out by Magpul Industries that
entered a licensing agreement with
Bushmaster, a sister company to Remington
Arms part of the Freedom group.
The ACR is a fully modular system that
can be quickly converted from 5.56 mm to
6.8 mm calibre in less than two minutes;
barrel, stocks and accessories being also
interchangeable allowing to tailor the
weapon to the mission. Fully ambidextrous,
it adopts a gas piston operating system, a
non-reciprocating bolt handle and a free-
floating handguard rail system.
Three barrels are available for both
calibres, respectively 10.5, 14.5 and 16.5
inches long. According to recent information,
Remington developed an advanced and
lighter version of its ACR and this is the
model proposed for the Army IC bid.
With experience gleaned with the
Socom’s 7.62-mm Scar, FN Herstal is facing
the IC bid with its Scar Mk 16 5.56 mm. The
standard version seems best in line with the
IC requirements, with its 14-inch barrel,
A Remington Adaptive Combat Rifle equipped
with suppressor. Fully ambidextrous, it can be
equipped with barrels of three different
lengths. (Remington)
with a ten-inch barrel available for close
quarter combat while the LB version
features an 18-inch barrel that considerably
increases accuracy. Also based on a short-
stroke gas piston system, its gas regulator
allows maintaining a constant rate of fire
when using a sound suppressor.
Adcor Defense proposes another M4
based weapon, the Brown Enhanced
Automatic Rifle. Also known as the Bear, it
features a gas-driven piston that is located
in the upper half of the forward rail system. It
thus never touches the barrel, making it a
free-floating barrel, which increases
accuracy. To further avoid the entry of sand
and dust in the weapon a dust shield is
mounted directly on the bolt carrier.
Many other American producers of AR-
type weapons were to have submitted their
proposals before the 27 October 2011
deadline. Knights Armament, Land Warfare
Resources, Stag Arms, Ruger, all have in
their catalogues upgraded versions of AR15
rifles and carbines. Not many details have
emerged about the international
participation to that bid.
According to the latest information
provided by the US Army test firing will run
through 2012 and lead to shortlisting in
early 2013, followed by an evaluation phase
with soldier feedback. The winner will
emerge after a best-value assessment, while
the decision to go for an M-4A1
replacement will be based on cost-benefit
analysis, which does not exclude a hybrid
solution keeping in service the current
weapon while fielding the new carbine.
I ELSEWHERE
The US Army is not the only service that is

04 Compendium Special Operations 2/2012


Knights Armament’s M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System was selected by the US Army as its
new designated marksman weapon. (US Army)
looking at new weapons. Italy is fielding the
Beretta ARX160, France should soon
launch a competition for a new assault rifle
for its troops, although timing is still
unclear. Czech units started receiving the
new CZ 805 Bren A1 in late 2011.
The production contract for 8000 5.56 x 45
mm rifles was assigned to Ceska Zbrojovka in
early 2010. A typical modular weapon, it can
be quickly transformed into a 7.62 x 39 mm
rifle by changing the barrel, bolt and gas tube,
the development of a 6.8 x 43 mm Remington
version being also possible. Gas operated with
a rotating bolt, the new Czech rifle can be
transformed into a carbine adopting the 277-
mm-long barrel, while a longer barrel might
soon be available to transform it into a
designated marksman rifle.
It might well be among the many
competitors for the Indian bid, the Delhi
Ministry of Defence having issued on 18
November an RfP to 43 weapon
manufacturers, with proposal deadline set at
mid-February 2012. At stake are 66,000 rifles
in 5.56 mm calibre that must be able to
quickly convert in 7.62 x 39 mm, to replace
the Indian-made Insas 5.56 mm rifle.
In late 2010 the army already issued a
tender for nearly 45,000 CQB carbines. This
should lead to massive acquisitions, the
overall need being for around 400,000
carbines and over two million assault rifles.
The requests include a transfer of technology
to allow local production of the weapons.
The Indian bid will be platform-centric (the
rifle being a the heart of the system) to
guarantee maximum efficiency in the
mechanical coupling between the weapon
and the accessories in all operational
conditions. Weapon manufacturers are thus
asked to provide a whole package that will
include ammunition, sighting systems and
accessories.
It is worth remembering here that in the
early 2000 India acquired over 3000 Tavor
21 assault rifles from Israel Weapon
Industries. These are in service with its
Army special forces units, and a further
contract for 10,000 such rifles has been
placed for paramilitary special forces units.
Beretta Defence Technologies, with
ARX-160 research and development effort
under its belt, is proposing the modular rifle
to many countries. It was designed based on
five functional sub-assemblies, namely low
receiver, barrel, bolt assembly, case and
magazine. Beretta does not wish to expand
on customisation for the US Individual
Carbine bid but confirms its participation.
The Italian company also developed a
customised version aimed at the French
contract, and is working on the package to
be proposed to India, the 7.62 x 39-mm
being ready. Beretta is also working hard on
the 7.62 x 51-mm calibre weapon, which
will be even more modular and quickly
transformable into a marksman rifle, an
assault rifle or a carbine. It will be fully
multi-calibre, and the first prototypes in the
base calibre are soon expected. To be able to
answer complex requirements involving
complete packages Beretta is heavily
investing in the acquisition of companies
operating in collateral fields.
The Indian bid is not the only one
requiring the capability to fire 7.62 x 39 mm
rounds. Many manufacturers are thus
including in their portfolios new rifles
capable to fulfil that requirement.
One year ago, Sig Sauer introduced its
SIG556 Russian, based on the proven
SIG556 design but able to fire AK-47
rounds. It features a 16-inch barrel with four
grooves and a 1 in 9.5 inches rifling and
accepts AK magazines. Based on a gas
piston mechanism with two-position valve
and rotating bolt adjustment, it weighs 3.17
kg without magazine and is 911 mm long
(660 mm with the polymer stock folded).
Besides the well known 550 series which
builds on the proven Swiss Army rifle
adopted in 1990 and known as the
Sturmgewehr 90, Sig Sauer markets the
516/716 AR rifles respectively in 5.56 x 45
mm and 7.62 x 51 mm calibres.
One company not tanking part in the
American bid is Steyr Mannlicher, whose
Aug assault rifle evolved considerably. The
A3 model answers the needs for modularity,
with a long Picatinny rail at 12 o’clock and
two more on the barrel sleeve and one more
on the receiver. A bolt-catch system was
implemented while an AR15-like magazine
release was developed for those used to that
Originally part of the Italian “Soldato Futuro”
programme, the Beretta ARX-160 rifle is now
being acquired “off-programme” and is
already distributed to other units operating in
Afghanistan. (Armada/PV)
A Beretta ARX-160 assault rifle equipped with
the GLX-160 40-mm underbarrel grenade
launcher. Beretta is answering numerous bids
for new rifles such as the IC in the United
States, and in India. (Armada/PV)
system, which is retrofittable to existing rifles.
In late January Thales and Steyr
Mannlicher signed an agreement, the two
companies having decided to offer the
improvements introduced in the Australian
Army F88A2 rifle to the rest of the world.
I AMMUNITION
Waiting for developments in new calibres or
types of rounds, producers remain linked to
mass production of current standardised
ammo. The US Army uses yearly 1.6 million
5.56-mm rounds for training and combat
and owns some 1.1 million rifles between
M16 and M4 models. It is understandable
why the first move was thus to develop a
more effective round in that calibre.
The Soldier Battlefield Effectiveness
paper published in August 2011 by the US
Army PEO Soldier contains some
interesting statements about the new
M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round
(EPR). According to Lt. Col. Jeffery Woods,
PEO Ammo, Picatinny Arsenal, “After
testing and measuring combat
performance, the Army concluded that only
one general-purpose round was more
effective than the current 5.56 mm M855 to
defeat the wide range of targets faced by
soldiers and that’s the new the M855A1
Enhanced Performance Round.”
Produced by ATK, the new round
maintains the same metrics as the M855 with
a 62-grain bullet weight but with
considerable changes in configuration. The
penetrator is now made in a harder steel with
an arrow head, is twice as heavy as the former
and is fully exposed as it extends beyond the
copper jacket, the latter being now “reverse
drawn” and formed from the back of the

ASSAULT RIFLES/CARBINES IN 5.56 X 45 MM

Manufacturer LWRC Int. CZ ADCOR FN Herstal Sig Sauer Steyr Mannlicher
Model M6A1-S (14.7”) CZ 805 BREN A1 B.E.A.R. (14.5”) SCAR Mk16 SIG516 AUG A3
Mode Semi-auto/Auto Semi-auto/2 rds burst/auto Semi-auto/Auto Semi-auto/Auto Semi-auto/Auto
Length extended 856-932 mm 915 mm 883 mm 826-889 mm 885 mm 745 mm
Length stock
n.a. 670 mm 787 mm 635 mm 805 mm n.a.
folded/retracted
Barrel length 373 mm 360 mm 368 mm 356 mm 368 mm 455 mm
Barrel twist 1 in 7 1 in 7 1 in 7
Rate of fire 700-900 rpm 625 rpm 750-800 rpm 680-750 rpm
Magazine 30 rounds 20/30 rounds 30 rounds 30-42 rounds
Weight 3.27 kg * 3.58 kg 3.11 kg 3.27 * 3.15 kg * 3.9 kg
* Without magazine

06 Compendium Special Operations 2/2012

 bullet up to the penetrator; the original lead
slug was replaced by a copper slug. Although not participating in
The WC-844 propellant powder was the US IC bid, Steyr Mannlicher
replaced by the SMP-842; this provides a is continuing with the
reduced flash and contains a de-coppering development of its Aug,
agent for longer barrel life. However the here in the A3 Special Forces
most important effect is the muzzle velocity configuration.
(Steyr Mannlicher)
increase, although the difference from the
949 metre/sec of the M855 remains
classified as well as the increased chamber
pressure. This affects significantly the
terminal ballistic performances, the new
round delivering “improved hard-target
penetration, more consistent performance
against soft targets and a significantly
extended range of these desired effects along
its trajectory”, according
to Lt. Col. Woods.
I BRITAIN: WEAPONS ON DIET The M855A1 can
With weight being an ever-critical issue, Cranfield University was
penetrate a 9.5-mm
asked by the Ministry of Defence to carry out an aggressive study mild steel plate at over
to reduce the current 70-kg soldier load to a mere 25. A first 350 metres, compared
target was to reduce the weight of weapon and ammunition by to 160 metres with the systems demonstrated that the M855A1
50 % without losing effectiveness. The final report was handed M855. Army Research outperformed the 7.62-mm M80 ball round,
over to the Ministry in March 2011. Stellite barrels for general- Laboratory tests against which does not have a steel penetrator. This
purpose machine guns should allow weight cutting, better heat hard targets within the means that the new 5.56 mm round
dissipation, wear and degradation reduction at high temperatures effective range of the penetrates some types of body armour
and therefore allow to removal of the second barrel. Britain is M4/M16 weapon designed to stop the 7.62 mm ball.
also looking at the Lsat programme (see picture). General
Dynamics OTS corrosion-resistant steel cases allow saving about
four grams per 7.62-mm round and an estimated two grams per
5.56-mm round, while plastic links developed by Ares save 2.25
grams per 7.62-mm link. As for the SA80 assault rifle, weight
saving could come from alternative materials for the rifle “skin”
while finite element analysis has identified possible weight saving
areas. Titanium steel rods save 90 grams per rod, while carbon
nylon for upper receiver and trigger mechanism housing also
reduce weight. A new underbarrel grenade launcher interface
saves another 430 grams. Two weapons were completed in
early 2011, the Mk 1 and the Mk 1A and were submitted to a
three-day testing at the Infantry Trials and Development Unit.
The Mk 1 prototype is 461 grams lighter than the 5.29-kg
SA80A2 with Picatinny, downgrip and Elcan, while the Mk 1A
weighs 872 grams less than the 5.5-kg SA80A2 in “theatre
entry” configuration with HK AG36 UBGL.
 The Lsat machine gun (see box herewith) being
tested. The latest version of the weapon weighs
only 4.18 kg without ammunition. (US Army)

Performances obviously depend on the

kinetic energy, which, in turn, is influenced
by the barrel length. The above-mentioned
figures against the mild steel plate are for the
M4, the M16 providing respectively 385 and
240 metres, while against a concrete
masonry unit, an obstacle that the M855
won’t penetrate, the EPR overcomes it at 41
metres when fired from an M4 and at 97
metres when an M16 is used. The M855A1
provides consistent performance against
soft targets too, regardless of yaw angle or

I LOW WEIGHT AND NEW AMMO FOR

US SMALL ARMS
Launched in FY04 the US Army’s Lightweight Small Arms Technologies
(Lsat) programme aimed at delivering a new family of lightweight, scalable
and affordable weapons and ammunition. AAI was chosen to lead the
programme, with Textron putting together a team that includes Ares, ATK,
Battelle, Cubic, MSC Software, St. Marks Powder and Veritay Technology. The
first target was to reduce the weight of the M249 Saw from 17.4 kg to 10.8
kg. Two types of ammunition were considered, the cased telescoped (CT)
and caseless telescoped (CL) seen here in belted form. The CT adopts a full
polymer cartridge and ensures up to 40 % weight and twelve per cent
volume savings over standard 5.56 rounds. The CL has the advantage of no
case ejection, weight being reduced by half and volume by 40 % (see bar
graph). The AAI team developed CT and CL ammo based on the M855
bullet. A gas-operated light machine gun using CT rounds with a rotating
chamber that improves reliability thanks to the in-line feed and ejection
mechanism; a long-stroke, soft-recoil system improves controllability
enhancing accuracy. Three designs weighing 4.52, 4.45 and 4.18 kg were
produced and tested. The latter, featuring semi-automatic and automatic
firing modes, was fired at the Manoeuvre Battle Laboratory in Fort Benning in
a three-week Military Utility Assessment in September 2011. Eight weapons
were used to spend over 25,000 rounds. The LMG was also submitted with
success to TRL7 testing. In 2008 an Lsat Caseless LMG was tested using
“Spiral 2” ammunition (an effort is underway to reduce the propellant but due to the IC programme the army is focusing on the LMG. A first
material cost and to improve the fabrication process). Further CL weapon equipped unit with the new LMG is foreseen for FY16. As for the ammo,
tests are pending completion of a revised “Spiral 3” ammunition design. The integration tests of M855A1 bullets in the CT cartridge are complete and
carbine, which was first test-fired in mid 2010, has an M4 look although it is TRL7 testing is pending. CT technology might soon be applied to 7.62 mm
100 mm shorter, the new ammunition design allowing for a 42-round and 12.7 mm calibres, AAI having conducted preliminary packaging studies
magazine. A second operating mechanism was demonstrated in mid-2011, for those calibres as well as for the .338 LM.

08 Compendium Special Operations 2/2012

 I HANDGUNS:
LAST-DITCH DEFENCE
In the military, with the exception of special
forces, handguns are considered last-ditch
defence weapons. However, growing
involvement in urban combat is giving
semi-automatic pistols greater importance
than in Cold War days. While in the US
discussions about the replacement of the
current M9 pistol, the Beretta 92F in 9 x 19
mm calibre, are a never-ending story, the
only major handgun replacement bid is
underway in Britain, where a requirement
for a substitute of the venerable Browning
HP was issued in 2010 with some general
constraints such as weight and calibre, the
often criticised 9 x 19 mm Nato calibre
being that of choice. A series of steps have The M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round was developed to improve the performance of the
already been fulfilled, such as technology M4, the short barrel of which had reduced the effectiveness of the standard M855 round. (ATK)
and functionality evaluation and company
qualification, the major world handgun whether in close quarters or longer-range The M855A1 nearly cancelled
producers having submitted their proposals engagements. performance differences between the 5.56
as well as specimens of their pistols that As for accuracy at 600 metres, 95 % of the mm and the 7.62 mm rounds, the former
are currently being tested in the harshest rounds fall into a 20 x 20 cm square. sometimes exceeding the latter. According
conditions, from Greenland to Australia. At M855A1 good points are not only limited to to Lt. Col. Henthorn, small arms division
stake are 27,000 handguns and 35,000 the terminal effects and precision; the chief, U.S. Army Manoeuvre Center of
holsters, the latter being required to be a elimination of the lead slug also reduced the Excellence, Fort Benning, “Once the EPR
multiple platform that can be worn on the
environmental impact, the new round being updates get incorporated into the 7.62-mm
belt, chest, shoulder and can be detached
to be placed i.e. in a vehicle. Handgun
advertised by ATK as the “Green Bullet”. round there will be another significant jump
choice is awaited within 2012. The M855A1 has also been cleared for use in performance that we will be able to put
with the M100 Grenade Rifle Entry into the soldier’s hands”. The bigger calibre
Munition and with the M249 Saw. round completed preliminary design
The first shipment to Afghanistan was reviews and, upon design completion ATK
made in June 2010, and in October that looks an initial production start in late 2012.
same year the US Army ordered nearly 300 M855 criticism did not come only from
million EPRs from ATK. The tracer round, the Army. The US Marine Corps was also
the M856A1, based on the same bullet unsatisfied with its performance in
solution, has recently passed all design Afghanistan, especially when fired from the
reviews and is currently undergoing M4. Instead of following the Army path, the
validation tests. Low-rate production Corps decided to adopt a round developed
should start in mid-2012. for the Socom to be used in the Scar carbine,

DMRS IN 5.56 MM CALIBRE

Manufacturer Sig Sauer Sig Sauer Remington
Model SIG516 Precision Marksman SIG556 DMR ACR (16.5”)
Mode Semi-auto Semi-auto Auto/Semi-auto
Length extended 915 mm 1,041 mm 879-953 mm
Length stock folded n.a. n.a. 705 mm
Barrel length 457 mm 533 mm 419 mm
Barrel twist 1 in 7 1 in 10 1 in 7
Grooves 6 6
Flutes No No No
Trigger pull 24 N 25 N 28 N
Muzzle brake Yes No Yes
Effective range
Produced by ATK, these M855A1 rounds have Magazine 10 – 20 – 30 rounds 10 rounds
considerably increased 5.56 mm weapon Weight 3.65 kg * 5.44 kg * ?? kg
effectiveness. They have recently been cleared * without magazine; ** loaded with optics
for use in the M249 Saw. (ATK)

10 Compendium Special Operations 2/2012

 DMRS IN 7.62 MM CALIBRE
Manufacturer Sig Sauer Sig Sauer McMillan McMillan LMT Heckler & Koch ArmaLite
Model SIG716 Precision SIG751 M1A M3A MWS G28 AR-10 DMC
Marksman
Mode Semi-auto Auto/Semi-auto Semi-auto Semi-auto Semi-auto Semi-auto Semi-auto
Length extended 1,000 mm 960/870 mm n.a. n.a. 883-959 mm 913-993 mm 927-1,010 mm
Length stock folded n.a. 921/831 mm n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
Barrel length 508 mm 570/455 mm 457 mm 457 mm 406 mm 419 mm 457 mm
Barrel twist 1 in 11 1 in 11 1 in 11 1 in 11 1 in 11.25 1 in 12 1 in 10
Grooves 4 6 6 6 6
Flutes Yes No No No No No No
Trigger pull 24 N 35 N 22.3-26.7 N 22.3-26.7 N 20 N 28 N 17.8-22.2 N
Muzzle brake Yes Yes Yes Y Yes Yes
Effective range 800 m 600-800 m
Magazine 10 – 20 rounds 20 rounds 10 rounds 10 rounds 20 rounds 10-20 rounds 6-15 rounds
Weight 4.8 kg * 3.63 kg * n.a. n.a. 4.49 kg 7.89 kg *** 4.42 kg
* without magazine; ** complete; *** fully loaded with optics

which was capable of defeating a threat
behind a barrier such as a windshield or a
car door.
Developed by Federal Cartridge, an ATK
company, from law enforcement projectiles,
the front part that defeats the barrier is
made of lead and has an open tip while the
rear penetrator is solid copper. The
munition was developed in 5.56 x 45 mm,
the Mk 318 Mod 0 with a 62-grain bullet,
and in 7.62 x 51 mm, the Mk 319 Mod 0 with
a 130-grain bullet, optimised respectively
for the 14-inch barrel of the Scar Mk 16 and
for the 16-inch one of the Mk 17.
The 892-metre/sec muzzle velocity is
identical for the two calibres fired in the
respective weapons and remains constant
even when fired in weapons with longer
 The 5.56-mm Horizon M855A1 PERFORMANCE VS. M855’
round developed by M855A1 M855
Ruag ensures good SOFT TARGET Consistent Effects
penetration at long
BARRIERS Car Window
distances with less than
half the cost of an AP Car Door
round. (Ruag) 9.5 mm mild steel
Concrete Masonry Unit
Soft Body Armour
(24 layer Kevlar)
ACCURACY Wind Drift
Ranging Error
MOA
Dispersion
Trajectory Match
with M856 (Tracer)
PROPELLANT Velocity
Temperature Coefficient
Flash Suppression

YES MEDIUM NO

barrels, while the Mk 319 V0 is reduced to and a ten-mm mild steel plate at 600. adoption of a Ruag Sintox non-corrosive
828 metre/sec when fired from the 13-inch Designed for barrels with a 1 in 7 inches primer increases barrel life and reduce life
barrel of the Mk 17 CQC. Propellant was twist, the HC+ also showed considerable cycle cost. Ruag Ammotec aims at selling its
designed for short-barrel use, ensuring accuracy, with standard deviation of 25 to 35 LF HC+ SX Horizon at a price between half
minimal muzzle flash and barrel wear. mm at 300 metres compared with 45 to 55 and one third of that of an AP round and
Accuracy is under 2 MOA at 600 metres. mm for an SS109 fired from a 480-mm-long roughly 60 % more than standard
The US Marine Corps filed a first contract barrel. Ruag Ammotec uses a proprietary ammunition. The new round, which is
for a couple million rounds in September powder that ensures a stable muzzle velocity of totally green and thus also considerably
2009, around 200,000 rounds having 930 metre/sec: less than five per cent spread reduces environmental issues, should be
reached Afghanistan in January 2010. The was measured over more than 7000 rounds. available in the first quarter 2012.
decision to acquire the Mk 318 fully The new powder ensures minimal
matching M855 external ballistics does not muzzle flash, additives reduce barrel wear I DESIGNATED MARKSMAN RIFLES
mean that the Corps will not join the Army and smoke residue build-up while the While the sniper role remains a dedicated
in adopting the M855A1 EPR in due time, a
decision that will take into count not only The Heckler & Koch G28 adopted by the Bundeswehr is the militarised version of the MR308.
performance but also environmental and (Heckler & Koch)
cost considerations.
In Europe the driver for new
ammunition in 5.56 x 45 mm was the
requirement by a Nato country for an LMG
round with better penetration capability
than the SS109 but with a lesser cost than an
armour piercing (AP) round. Ruag
Ammotec of Switzerland thus developed the
LF HC+ SX Horizon, which was in the very
final testing phase in late December 2011.
While maintaining a 62-grain bullet, two
thirds of its weight is due to the hardened
steel core that is backed with a brass shoe.
The round maintains the tumbling
characteristics of the SS109. The effect in
wax is similar, but has much better
penetration in hard targets. Tests proved
that the new round could penetrate a seven-
mm-thick 350Hb steel plate at 300 metres

12 Compendium Special Operations 2/2012

business carried out by specifically trained
soldiers using mostly bolt action weapons,
the designated marksman (DM) is called in
to engage targets at short-to-medium ranges,
usually with a semi-automatic
weapon derived from a standard
rifle sporting a 14.5 to 16.5-inch
barrel and an optical sight of
limited magnification ensuring
a good accuracy (usually 1.5
minute of angle at 800 or 1000
metres). Some DM weapons
maintain, however, a full auto firing
capability while others have longer barrels.
In September 2011, the German
Bundeswehr chose as its new DM rifle the
Heckler & Koch G28. This semi-automatic
7.62 x 51-mm rifle is the militarised version of
the MR308 sport weapon, heavily derived
from the HK416/417 series (it maintains
around 75 % commonality with the 7.62-mm
version of the assault rifle/carbine family).
Gas-operated with short-stroke piston
and pusher rod, it is fitted with a 16.5-inch
heavy barrel that provides 1.5 MOA
accuracy at 600 metres. The stock can be
The HK G28 fires in
semi-automatic mode only and
features a tunable buttstock
similar to those adopted on
sniper rifles. (Heckler & Koch)
14 Compendium Special Operations 2/2012
adjusted over a length of 80 mm, while 10- or
20-round magazines are available. The free-
floating HK rail system allows the
installation of multiple accessories on four
Picatinny rails.
The Schmidt & Bender PMII 3-20 x 50
telescopic sight can be complemented by an
image intensifier such as the Qioptiq
Merlin-LR or by a thermal sight like the L-3
Insight CNVD-T3 uncooled clip-on
system. A Rheinmetall LLM01 laser
module is also installed. If the mission does
not require shooting at ranges over 600
meters, a lighter telescope is proposed as
option in the form of the Schmidt & Bender
PMII 1-8x24 sight.
The G28 is also available in patrol version
with a shorter receiver, a simpler stock, and
without forward handle and bipod, cutting
weight by 1.6 kg.
FN Herstal introduced the Scar-H PR
(the last two letters standing for “Precision
Rifle”), which can be considered an export
version of the 20-inch barrel Scar Mk 20
Mod 0 Sniper Support Rifle adopted by US
Socom and for which production was
approved in late 2010 with first deliveries
achieved in early 2011.
With a 20-inch barrel the Scar H PR, for Precision Rifle, is FN Herstal’s proposal in the 7.62-mm
designated marksman rifle niche. (FNH)
Equipped with the Schmidt &
Bender PMII 3-20 x 50 sight
the G28 is the perfect
weapon for a designated
marksman. (Heckler & Koch)
Compared to the Scar-H 7.62 x 51 mm
rifle it features a 20-inch heavy floating
barrel, a 120 mm longer receiver and a
different two-stage with a 2.5 to 3-kg pull
trigger. A foldable stock was adopted for
easier carrying and vehicle access/egress.
The Scar-H PR flash hider is designed to
allow the adoption of a suppressor. The
sight of choice is the Schmidt & Bender 3-12
x 50 PM II telescope with FN stating that
with this sight the rifle achieves 1.5 MOA
accuracy. In late 2011, FN said that a first
contract for its new DM rifle, which has
been tested by numerous potential users,
was imminent.
While the British Army adopted the
Accuracy International AWM .338 LM as
its new sniper rifle – or L115A3 in British
Service – the service also decided to
replace its Accuracy International L96
7.62-mm bolt action rifle for the
sharpshooter role. In Afghanistan the need
emerged for infantry squads and platoons
to have a semi-automatic 7.62-mm
weapon to engage enemy machine guns.
The idea was to deploy one such weapon
per infantry section.
In December 2009 the British chose the
 DMRS IN 7.62 MM CALIBRE
Manufacturer NSWC Crane Div. USMC Knights Armament FN Herstal Remington
Model Mk14 EBR M39 EMR M110 SCAR-H PR R11 RSASS
Mode Semi-auto Semi-auto Semi-auto Semi-auto Semi-auto
Length extended 889 mm 1,120 mm 1,190-1,200 mm 1,011-1,070 mm 1,003 mm
Length stock folded n.a. n.a. n.a. 816 mm n.a.
Barrel length 457 mm 560 mm 508 mm 508 mm 457 – 559 mm
Barrel twist 1 in 10
Grooves
Flutes Yes
Trigger pull 15.7-22.6 N
Muzzle brake
Effective range > 800 m 800-1,000 m
Magazine 10 – 20 rounds 19 rounds
Weight 5.1 kg 7.5 kg ** 7.0 kg 4.5 kg * 7.14 kg **

* without magazine; ** complete; *** fully loaded with optics

.308 Modular Weapon System developed
and produced by America-based LMT
Defense (Lewis Machine and Tool). The
UOR contract was worth over $ 2.5 million
and included 440 rifles, with an overall need
exceeding 1000 weapons.
The British Army L129A1 “Sharpshooter”
is an AR15 derivative with a direct gas
impingement equipped with a 16-inch, 1 in
11.25 inches rifling stainless steel flat matte
blackened barrel. Fully ambidextrous, it
features a two-position selector and two-
stage trigger group, while the Monolithic Rail
Platform hosts the upper receiver and
surrounds the free-floating barrel. This
solution allows the optics to remain in place
while the barrel is being replaced.
The British Army adopted the Trijicon
Acog 6 x 48 already in service on machine
guns of the same calibre, a Trijicon RMR
(Ruggedized Miniature Reflex) being often
added over the optical sight for close-
quarter battle. The L129A1 stock, grip and
rail covers are all in coyote tan. The LMT
weapon also won the bid for New Zealand’s
designated marksman rifle requirement,
but features a 20-inch barrel while the sight
is a Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14 x 50 LR/T M1.
For close combat, Dueck Defense Rapid
Dueck Defense developed the Rapid
Transition Sight, an M4/M16-line back-up
sight mounted at 45°offset that allows to
quickly shift from a long range scope to a
short range iron sight. (Dueck)
16 Compendium Special Operations 2/2012
The British Army L129A1 7.62 mm new designated marksman rifle is a derivative of the LMT
.308 Modular Weapon System. (Armada/PV)
Transition Sight iron sights angled at 45°
have been adopted. A number of these have
already been deployed to Afghanistan.
In America the addition of a marksman
to a squad or platoon has been under
discussion for years. At the turn of the
century the Marine Corps decided to
introduce the Squad Advanced Marksman
(Sam) with the Army 3rd Infantry Division
looking in the same direction shortly after.
Modified versions of the M16A4 rifle were
adopted as well as derivatives of the 7.62 x
51 mm M14, the M39 Enhanced Marksman
Rifle for the Marines and the Mk 14
Enhanced Battle Rifle for the Army.
The M14EBR-RI is issued to units
deployed in Afghanistan, each squad having
two in its armoury. Initially developed for
US Navy special forces with an 18-inch
barrel, the EBR-RI produced by Tacom has a
22-inch (560 mm) barrel with a new flash
hider, a lightweight stock and is equipped
with a Leupold Mk 4 3.5-10 scope,
ammunition being hosted in 20-round
magazines. The M39 EMR also features a
22-inch barrel and is equipped with the M-
8541 Scout-Sniper Day Scope (Schmidt &
Bender 3-12 x 50 PMII LP).
In the Us Marine Corps it will soon be
replaced by a new semi-automatic rifle of
similar calibre, the M110 Sass (Semi-
Automatic Sniper System) developed by the
Army to be used as the spotter’s weapon of
choice in the two-man sniper team. A
derivative of the SR-25 7.62 x 51 mm semi-
automatic weapon manufactured by Knight
Armaments, it is fully ambidextrous and
fires M118LR 118-grain rounds at 784
metre/sec from 10- or 20-round magazines.
Army M110s are equipped with a
Leupold Mk 4 3.5-10 x 40 mm scope
mounted on the Upper Receiver Extending
(URX) fore end (which features an integral
folding front sight), to achieve an under-
one-MOA accuracy at a range of over 800
metres. The Marine Corps, which acquired
over 800 M110s, went for another scope in
the form of Premier Reticles Heritage 3-15 x
50 (another difference being that the
Marines use only 20-rounds magazines).
The M110 is currently in service and
deployed downrange by the Army, which
started fielding it in Iraq in 2008.
Remington and JP Entreprises joined
 The M14 Enhanced Battle Rifle has been issued to the units deployed to Afghanistan, each
squad having two of them. (US Army)
their efforts to develop the R11 Rsass
(Remington Semi-Automatic Sniper System)
with the aim of producing a sub-MOA semi-
auto rifle in 7.62 mm calibre. Based on JP
Entreprises’ LPR07 receiver, it can be
equipped with 18- or 22-inch barrels. The
rifle features a fully adjustable Magpul PSR
stock and a Leupold Mark 4 6.5-20 x 50 mm.
The R11 Rsass is equipped with a Harris LM-
S bipod. The base rifle weighs 5.44 kg,
ancillaries adding 1.7 kg to the weapon.
Beside the various versions of the M14
numerous other DM rifles have been
developed in the United States in the recent
past. Armalite is proposing its AR-10 DMC
(Designated Marksman Carbine) in 7.62
mm calibre from fitted with a Broughton 18-
inch 5C Custom stainless steel free-floating
barrel. A Smith Vortex flash suppressor is
added together with a Magpul CTR
collapsible stock that allows an 83-mm
travel. The two-stage trigger and an adequate
scope (Armalite does not provide optics and
mounts), ensure an accuracy of 1 MOA.
Using experience gained with the MFS-
14 folding stock developed for special
forces units that wanted to be able to
shorten their M14s during transport,
McMillan developed a modernised version
of the M1A Springfield semi-automatic
rifle (a civilian version of the M14) which
is now equipped with a short upper
Picatinny rail. Another version, the M3A is
however equipped with a fixed McMillan
stock and features a much longer Picatinny
that can host various types of scopes. Those
weapons might well be used as DM rifles
considering their accuracy and calibre. Sig
Sauer is proposing various DMR versions of
its rifles both in 5.56 and 7.62 mm calibres.
The Sig516 with the 18-inch heavy free-
floating barrel, two-stage trigger and fixed
buttstock is known as Precision Marksman.
An AR rifle based on an advanced short-
stroke pushrod gas system, it works only in
18 Compendium Special Operations 2/2012
semi-automatic mode and its long upper
Picatinny can host a series of scopes and
night attachments while flip-up back-up
iron sights are installed.
The threaded barrel cap allows installing
muzzle brakes/flash hiders or suppressors.
Its limited weight is among its advantages
over more dedicated weapons in the same
calibre, such as the Sig556 DMR. The latter
can be equipped with two different cold
hammer forged heavy contour barrels, 21-
or 18-inch barrels respectively with 1 in 10
and 1 in 8 inches rifling.
Built around a full-length gas piston
operating rod system with a two-position
adjustable gas valve, the Sig556 DMR
features a rotating bolt and is equipped with
a two-stage trigger and a fully adjustable
Magpul PRS buttstock. The short barrel
version has a weight of 4.31 kg without its
20-round magazine and is 46 mm shorter
overall, and is thus better suited for DM
duty, especially in urban terrain.
In the larger-calibre range the Sig Sauer
catalogue features the Sig716 Precision
Thanks to its long upper Picatinny rail the
McMillan M3A can accept most scopes and
night vision attachments. (McMillan)
The Remington Semi-Automatic Sniper System,
or Rsass, was proposed for the US Army EBR
replacement programme. (Remington)
Marksman. This is the 7.62-mm version of
the AR series with a 20-inch free-floating
barrel, but otherwise pretty similar to the
Sig516 PM. The same applies to the Sig751,
a 550 series on steroids, the standard
version of which works in automatic, burst
and semi-automatic modes (but which can
be supplied with only semi-auto function).
The rifle is available with 18- and 20.5-inch
barrels, other options including an
adjustable buttstock and a handguard with
accessory quad rail. The demand for DMRs
started to appear in 2009 and Sig Sauer has
already provided its 7.62-mm rifles to two
customers.
 The Meprolight M5 is a
perfect option for close-quarter
battle situations.
Weapon Sights
With the widespread adoption of optical sights for
standard assault rifles and carbines, the trend is to fit
those weapons with various forms of back-up iron
sights. Some are fixed while others are of the flip-up
type and the resultant compatibility between
optical and iron sights is often matter for conjecture,
but solutions have been found.
F
OR EXAMPLE, Dueck Defense has
developed the Rapid Transition Sight
(RTS), which replicates the standard
M4/M16 iron sight design while
adopting a 45° offset. The RTS is made in
aluminium and is mounted directly on the
Picatinny rail, rising only five mm over the
rail thanks to its low profile. The sights can be
mounted either on the right or left and
feature _ MOA elevation and windage
adjustments. The RTS adds a mere 129
grams to the rifle, and according to Dueck
Defense the shooter can learn to use the new
sights within minutes. Besides ensuring full
availability of a back-up in any condition, the
RTS is well suited for short-range shooting
even if a magnifying scope is fitted. It was
adopted by New Zealand for its new
designated marksman rifle and is in service
with other undisclosed countries.
In early 2012, Carl Zeiss Optronics
introduced a number of new and upgraded
sights for marksman and sniper use. The ZO
6 x 36 is compact and lightweight (174 mm in
length for 697 grams) and its 5.3° field of
view enables the shooter to survey an ample
portion of terrain without moving the rifle.
Being short it allows the addition of a clip-
on night attachment, even on standard
Picatinny rails. It features an illuminated
reticle with six daytime and three nighttime
brightness levels, and can be provided with a
customer-chosen reticle.
Lessons learned in the field led Carl Zeiss
Optronics to modify its ZF 4-16 x 56
telescope and the new ZF 4-16 x 56 TL
features locking elevation and azimuth
turrets, settings being adjustable only after
lifting turret caps to avoid unintentional
modifications. An entirely new sight is the ZF
3.5-26 x 56 FF; its minimum magnification
provides for short-to-medium-range use,
though at x26 magnification the target can be
identified with maximum reliability. With a
length of 370 mm and a weight of 1300
grams, it features a red illuminated reticle
powered by a CR123A battery. Carl Zeiss also
developed the 1.77-kg Spotter 45 with a 15 to
45 magnification range offering a FoV
between 49 and 19 metres at 1000 metres.
Three new products have entered the
Compendium Special Operations 2/2012 19

Leupold military line in early 2012. Two of
them belong to an entirely new family, in
which the Mark 6 is built around a rugged,
dependable six-times erector system. The
Mark 6 1-6 x 20 mm has a 35.3 to 6.4-metre
field of view at 100 metres, is 262 mm long
and weights 482 grams. It features most of
the typical Leupold scopes characteristics
(low profile, Mil-based Zerolock windage
and elevation adjustments with available
bullet drop compensation options) and a
new selection of calibre-specific, front focal
plane reticles to complement the time-
proven tactical military reticles.
The second product is the Mark 6 3-18 x 44
mm M5B2, which at only 305 mm and 669
grams, is some 20% smaller and lighter than
similar rifle scopes. The sight is similar but
adds an auto-locking adjustment that
provides 20 Mils of elevation travel in two
revolutions of the dial, allowing engagements
beyond 1500 metres with no inadvertent
The ZF 4-16 x 56 sight, here mounted
on an assault rifle, is a good compromise
for medium- to long-range shooting.
(Carl Zeiss Optronics)
20 Compendium Special Operations 2/2012
A light x6 sight, the new ZO 6 x 36 from Carl
Zeiss Optronics ensures good accuracy at
medium range. (Carl Zeiss Optronics)
A perfectly well suited sight for designated marksmen, this Carl Zeiss Optronics ZF 3.5 - 26 x 56
FF is here seen mounted on an assault rifle. (Carl Zeiss Optronics)
The Carl Zeiss Optronics Spotter 45 is the
latest addition to the Spotter family;
its magnification varies from x15 to x45.
(Carl Zeiss Optronics)
zeroing alteration.
The same auto-locking adjustments, taken
from the company’s Mark 8 1.1-8 x 24 CQBSS,
have also been transferred onto the Mark 8
3.5-25 x 56 mm M5B2. Its field of view is of
10.8 to 1.6 metres at 100 metres, higher than
most scopes of similar magnification,
providing quick target acquisition and high
target discretion at long range. A 3rd
generation, seven-position illumination
control allows operators to match the reticle
illumination to the ambient light conditions
or night vision devices.
The most recent addition to the Trijicon
catalogue is the SRS (Sealed Reflex Sight).
This x1 sight adopts a new optical design and
its aluminium casing, only 97 mm long,
eliminates the typical “tube effect” of
standard red-dot sights, ensuring maximum
situational awareness at short distances.
It has a field of view of 23 metres at 100
metres with a 100-mm eye relief and features
a 1.75 MOA dot with ten brightness settings
(three for NVG, six for daylight use and one
super bright for extremely sunny days). In
daylight use a photovoltaic cell helps save the
battery (a single AA ensuring continuous
13

operation for more than three years). The
STS is waterproof to 50 metres, weighs 310
grams with battery, or 390 grams with
battery and mount.
Trijicon also added a new member to its
Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (Acog)
family, the 4 x 32 Battery Acog. It provides the
soldier with six levels of reticle intensity, but
obviously comes with a weight penalty at 514
grams with the single AA battery (over 12,000
hours on setting n.4) and the TA51 mount.
Aimpoint of Sweden, whose sights are in
The Aimpoint system of systems approach
showed again its appeal in recent contracts
for the Norwegian Army. (Aimpoint)
use in most Nato countries, has introduced a
2 MOA red dot version of its Micro T-1. The 4
MOA version of this miniaturised sight was
introduced in 2009, but the development of
the new version was launched that same year
following the requirements voiced by some
special forces requiring a smaller red dot
reticule.
Aimpoint invested heavily in new
technologies to introduce a 2 MOA emitter in
the existing sight and managed to maintain
the characteristics of the existing Micro T-1
with a length of 62 mm and a weight of only
84 grams (105 grams with the integrated
mount). The company system-of-systems
philosophy proved again successful in late
2011 when Norway placed two major
contracts. In October a first order for 2000
CompM4 sights, an equivalent number of
3xMag magnifiers and 10,000 Micro T-1 4
MOA was signed, followed in January 2012
by a second order for 12,000 CompM4s and
3000 3xMags, adding to the approximately
At the Shot Show 2012 Leupold
introduced its new Mk 6 series.
This is the 1-6 magnification
sight providing good
short- and medium-range
sighting. (Leupold)
The longer-range
member of the Mk 6
family is the 3-18
magnification sight
that weighs less than
670 grams. (Leupold)
40,000 sights already delivered to the identification at 350.
Norwegian Army. The NOA Nyx uses the same computer as
Following its customers’ “lessons the thermal sniper sights, but hosts three
learned”, Meprolight of Israel (part of the SK instead of five ballistic tables. Pictures can be
group) has introduced three new sights. The captured and transferred via serial output.
M5 is a 280-gram red-dot sight with a rapid The Nyx has the same continuous operation
target acquisition display. Powered by a time as the other NOA series sights but with
single AA battery providing over 8000 only four AA batteries and weighs less than a
operating hours, the M5 2 MOA red-dot has kilo without batteries. Meprolight confirms
four settings, one for NVGs and three for that the Nyx has already been acquired by
daylight, plus the off position. two countries but declines to provide more
Users of the Meprolight NOA x7 information.
uncooled thermal sniper sight had voiced In early 2012 Inteco, another SK Group
the need for a dual magnification sight that company, officially launched the Mini
would maintain the same maximum Hunter. Based on an 18-mm Gen II or Gen
magnification, but that offered a wider field III tube, this x2 image intensification sight
of view for better situational awareness in the has an 18° FoV and weighs only 390 grams
surveillance phase. This led to the NOA sans adaptor, cover and battery (an AA that
Dual-Field sniper sight that provides 10.2° provides 40 hours operation at 20°C or
and 3.4° FoVs at x3 and x7 positions (with x2 twelve hours at 0 to -30°C).
or x4 electronic zoom). Another recent In 2011 Qioptiq introduced a new line of
addition is the NOA Nyx, a x2 optic with a clip-on image intensifiers and extended its
15.6° field of view that also features a x4 portfolio in the thermal sight field. The
digital zoom. With its optical magnification it Merlin family of II systems includes three
ensures detection at 900 metres and models optimised for assault rifles,
Trijicon’s latest development, the Sealed
Reflex Sight, eliminates the “tube effect”
of standard red-dot sights. (Trijicon)
The Trijicon Acog
4 x 32 was
recently developed
in a battery-powered
version that provides
numerous light
settings to match
varying light conditions. (Trijicon)
22 Compendium Special Operations 2/2012
The wide field of view
of the new Leupold Mk
8 3.5-25 x 56 ensures
good acquisition and
targeting capabilities.
(Leupold)
designated marksman rifles and sniper rifles.
They are all based on the Photonis 18-mm
XR5 II auto-gated image intensifier, but the
Short Range (SR) and Medium Range (MR)
versions are powered by a single AA Lithium
battery providing over 40 hours of
continuous operation at 20°C, while the
Long Range (LR) version is powered by two
Alkaline AA batteries that ensure over 90
hours continuous operation.
All Merlin sights can be attached via a
quick-release mount onto a Picatinny rail
and be installed and removed without re-
zeroing the weapon, boresight alignment
being less than 0.5 MOA. The Merlin SR and
MR have a clear starlight detection range on a
man of 730 and 836 metres respectively, and
1590 and 1780 metres with moonlight. The
field of view varies from 17° for the SR to 13°
for the MR, while respective weights sans
batteries is less than 820 and 1060 grams.
The LR version weighs 1450 grams, has a
2040-metre detection range with quarter
moonlight and 2940 metres with full
moonlight, with a 9° field of view.
Still with Qioptiq, but on the thermal
theme, the Dragon SR, MR and S (for Sniper)
sights join the LR and C (for Compact)
launched in 2010. The latter is particularly
suited for carbines and assault rifles
as it weighs only 390 grams sans
batteries and weapon mount, and
ensures a detection range of 910
metres, which increases to 1070 metres
using the x2 electronic zoom.
The LR, aimed at designated
marksmen, can detect a man at 2750
metres with the standard x.2.7
magnification and at nearly 3 km
with the x5.4 optical magnification
15

Meprolight’s new sights include (from top
to bottom) the reflex 2MOA red dot M5,
the x2 compact image intensification
Mini-Hunter and the thermal imaging NOA
Dual Field. (Meprolight)
(and even slightly more when adding the x2
electronic zoom). At 1075 grams, the
Dragon LR is powered by six AA Lithium
batteries that provide over eight hours of
continuous operation, while the C uses only
two such batteries that provide over five
hours operation.
The three new Dragons are all powered
by four AA Lithium batteries providing over
eight hours of continuous operation and
have respectively 8° (SR) and 5.9° (MR and
S) horizontal fields of view.
Detection ranges increase from the 2300
Qioptiq’s Dragon family of thermal imaging sights includes five different versions, short,
medium, long range, compact and, seen here, the Sniper. (Qioptiq)
24 Compendium Special Operations 2/2012
The NOA Nyx x2 developed by Meprolight of Israel provides thermal imaging capabilities for a
weight of under one kilogram. (Meprolight)
metres for the SR (2390 with zoom) to 2740
metres for the MR (3120 with zoom), the
Sniper model having the same range of the
MR. Weights without batteries range from 730
to 930 grams. All models but the LR have an
8-12 µm 320 x 240 pixel uncooled sensor, the
Long Range having a 640 x 480-pixel sensor.
All Dragons feature an RS232
communications port, a video output and
can be linked to an external power source.
Both the Merlin and the Dragon sights have
generated much interest worldwide and are
currently being assessed, evaluated and
trialled by Nato and non-Nato forces. Some
contracts have already been signed
although no details were available from
In 2011 Qioptiq
launched the Merlin Qioptiq due to non-disclosure
family of image agreements.
intensification L-3 EOTech introduced two new
clip-on night sights, holographic hybrid sight kits based on
which includes, from two of its holographic red-dot sights, the
left to right, the
long-range LR, the
medium-range MR and the
short-range SR . (Qioptiq)
Thanks to its reduced dimensions and weight
(under 400 grams) the four-kilometre PLRF25C
rangefinder recently introduced by Vectronix is
attracting considerable interest. (Vectronix)
night vision compatible EXPS3-4 and non-
compatible EXPS2-2. Both weigh 317 grams
and have a x1 magnification, but the former
has a four-dot reticle calibrated for 300, 400,
500 and 600 metre ranges, while the latter
has a two-dot reticle for fast target
acquisition. These two sights are combined
with the new G33 magnifier with an eye
relief of 56 mm and a field of view of 7.2°.
The G33 features the new Quick Switch to
Side Mount that allows twisting the
magnifier on the side for short-range shots,
while quickly putting it back into
position for longer-range shots.
Vectronix of Switzerland, part
of the Safran group, unveiled its
Nitespot MR, the medium-range
version of the company clip-on image
intensifier devices for designated marksman
or sniper support rifles. The 270-mm-long
MR is a typical clip-on device with no optical
offset providing a 7° field of view with no
magnification. Gain and focus controls are
carried out manually by remote control.
The 900-gram the system will be available
with Photonis XR5 or Onyx tubes, although
Gen III tubes can be used on request. It is
powered by a CR123A battery but can also
work with a 1.5 V AA battery. The sight is
equipped with a universal surface that can
be fitted with different types of rail
grabbers, while at 9, 12 and 3 o’clock the
sight features integrated interfaces for up
to three accessory rails.
Vectronix also recently introduced other
At Milipol 2011 in Paris Vectronix showed the
new medium-range Nitespot MR image
intensification clip-on sight, here seen
installed on a Sako TRG rifle. (Vectronix)
The L-3_Eotech G33 x3.25 magnifier (left) is
smaller and has a wider field of view
compared to its predecessor, the G23. The
HHS2 suite combines an L-3 EOTech EXPS red
dot sight with the G33 magnifier, the latter
being equipped with a system that allows it to
be quickly emplaced in front of the sight or
flipped to the side depending on the
requirement of the moment. (L-3 EOTech)
equipment for snipers, marksmen and
forward observers. One of those is the
PLRF25C, a 500-gram rangefinder based on a
1550-nm laser with a measuring range of
over 4000 metres with an accuracy of ±2
metres (2.5 km on a Nato target). Considered
the smallest and most powerful Milspec laser
rangefinder on the market, its single CR123
battery ensures a minimum of 3000
measurements, all operations being carried
out using a single button.

Indirect Fire
Indirect fire support at squad level is always a critical
point given the weight soldiers have to carry. In addition
to kinetic rounds, indirect fire systems allow soldiers to
create smoke screens or to illuminate the battlefield.
Underbarrel grenade launchers and 40-mm low-velocity
grenades are the standard indirect fire weapons of the
fire team, however, other types of systems are emerging
that increase range and terminal effects.
I
N THE 40-mm category of grenades,
medium-velocity/increased-range (MV)
rounds allow to improve range,
accuracy and lethality, but MV air burst
types will further increasing lethality against
targets behind cover. Grenade producers
have followed two different approaches in
the development of these weapons, namely
by increasing the muzzle velocity of low-
velocity rounds or by decreasing that of
26 Compendium Special Operations 2/2012
fires 25 mm air burst grenades that proved
high-velocity types (the latter having a
heavier payload thus a greater lethal effect).
MV grenades, with a V0 slightly over 100
metre/sec, will have an impact on grenade
launchers. The higher impact of MV
grenades makes it impossible to use them
from stand-alone systems as these are too
light, but with underbarrel configurations the
impulse is lowered by the intrinsic combined
weight of the rifle and launcher. What has to
Also known as the “Punisher”, the XM-25
their effectiveness in-theatre against
insurgents hiding behind obstacles.
be checked is the resistance of the coupling
between the rifle and the launcher itself.
Following those considerations
Rheinmetall Weapons and Munitions has
developed two dedicated MV round
launchers that remain compatible with low-
velocity rounds. The single-shot Cerberus
can be used either as a stand-alone or as an
underbarrel launcher, at respective weights
of 2.8 kg and 2.1 kg. The key element is the
recoil damping system that reduces the
impulse on the shooter’s shoulder in the
stand-alone mode and on the Picatinny rail
in underbarrel configuration. The 350 x 240 x
60 mm launcher, which can use up to 123-
mm-long rounds thanks to its rotating
breech, will soon enter pre-production phase.
The second development is the Hydra
multi-round launcher, which can fire in
semi-automatic and three-round bursts,
automatic mode being available on request.
The hydraulic breech was tested in late 2011
and 2012 should see the Hydra coming up
as a prototype. Various magazines are
available: linear ones are produced in three,
six and nine round versions, while a double
 The Cerberus single-shot 40-mm grenade launcher is being
developed by Rheinmetall for its medium-velocity rounds and is
equipped with a recoil absorbing system. (Armada/PV)

stack magazine with two per five round
capacity and a rotary one with nine rounds
are also being developed. The Hydra
reloading system automatically adapts to the
type of ammunition being used as the
weapon can fire both LV and MV grenades.
Its dimensions are 850 x 240 x 60 mm and
its weight unloaded is about four kilos. Both
the Cerberus and the Hydra will also be able
to fire air burst munitions, which are in an
advanced development stage.
Steyr Mannlicher is developing its own
40-mm system, but based on a 180-mm-
long barrel that can quickly be replaced with
Rheinmetall has launched the
development of the Hydra multi-round
grenade launcher optimised for the
company’s 40-mm MV grenades, here
shown with the nine-round linear
magazine. (Armada/PV)
 I FIELD TESTING FOR THE XM-25
Known as the Counter Defilade Target Engagement weapon system and renamed Individual
Semiautomatic Air Burst System, ATK’s XM-25 has become one of the favourite weapons used in
Afghanistan, although only five such systems are currently deployed downrange. Developed with
Heckler & Koch USA and L-3 Communications Brashear (the latter being responsible for the fire
control system), the XM-25 “Punisher” (as unofficially called by soldiers that use it in
Afghanistan) employs 25-mm HEAB (High Explosive Air Burst) grenades. Fuses are set by the
FCS to explode over the enemy position, which allows engaging enemies behind an obstacle.
The sight features a day optic channel, a thermal channel, a laser pointer/illuminator and a laser
rangefinder, the latter being the key element to establish the target distance because this is
transformed into the number of spiral rotations the grenade will have to achieve before the fuse
triggers the detonation. HEAB grenades can be used also in point detonation mode. Apart from
HEAB, only training rounds are currently available, but ATK is in the last stages of development of
armour-piercing ammunition. The XM-25 point target range is about 500 metres, while that for
area targets is around 50% further. The Punisher is 749 mm long and weighs 5.67 kg with
unloaded four-round magazine. Its performance was strongly appreciated by soldiers as it gives
higher probability of effect compared with traditional weapons. Forward Operational Assessment
ended in January 2011, and the two units that had the chance to deploy the XM-25 fired in total
55 rounds in anger while many more rounds were fired for training purposes. Proposed
improvements include greater range (up to 1000 metres), and possibly weight reduction. The
US Army raised $ 24.7 million in November 2011for the production of 36 more weapons (the
equivalent of a battalion’s worth considering two XM-25 per squad), already incorporating some
of the suggested modifications, and 10,000 HE and 5000 practice rounds. Deliveries are
expected in late 2012 for downrange deployment in the first half of 2013. In March 2011 ATK
received $ 65.8 million from the US Army's PEO Soldier for the Engineering and Manufacturing
Development phase. By the end of this contract, in early 2014, the design should be frozen to Mithras illumination rounds fired at a recent
allow mass production. Depending on force structure evolution, the Army might buy between Rheinmetall demonstration. IR Illum and
10,000 and 12,500 Punishers as of 2014. smoke versions are also available.
(Armada/EHB)

a 38 or 42-mm calibre type and enable to fire

less than lethal rounds. Working in double-
action mode only, it can be attached through
a Picatinny rail or using its own very-low-
profile quick-mount system that reduces the
distance between the two barrels and
thereby the parallax effect. Steyr Mannlicher
is refining its launcher and plans to start
production in early 2012, in time for the
Austrian Army tender for 140 pieces. The
launcher is 270 mm long and can also be had
as a stand-alone system. Respective weights
are 1.02 and 2.18 kg, the stand-alone length
with stock extended being 640 mm.

I DO YOU HAVE A LIGHT?

Hand-held rocket launchers are often used for
illumination or smoke screening, and some
companies recently developed new systems.
In 2011, Chemring introduced the latest
evolution of its Multiple Effects Rocket
System, or Mers, with ranges of 300, 500 and
600 metres. The latest extended-range Mers-
ER, however, stretches out to 1000 metres. It
is in final development and qualification
phase and will be available in late 2012.
The rockets incorporate a three-stage
safety, requiring the operator to first turn the
twist initiator clockwise from the Safe to
Armed position, pull it to Fire position and

28 Compendium Special Operations 2/2012 19

only then the twist initiation can be
activated, either clockwise or counter
clockwise (the system is fully ambidextrous).
The 300-metre range illumination rockets
are 260 mm long with a 47-mm diameter,
weigh some 550 grams and reach a
maximum altitude of 200 metres when fired
at 45°. It provides 200,000 Candela for up to
30 seconds; the IR-Illum version burns for
more than 30 seconds. While a 600-metre
range was available, a lighter 500-metre
version was developed following a specific
customer’s reduced-weight requirement
(less than 470 grams both in the Illumination
and IR-Illum versions, but same length). The
1000-metre type is 340 mm long and weighs
approximately 600 grams. A new smokeless
propellant was introduced with two benefits:
it does not generate a smoke trail that can be
used by the enemy to trace back the firing
position and increases the rocket speed and
thus stability and accuracy. Current payloads
include smoke screening, 200,000 Candela (above) Originally a French product, the Fly-K
white light illumination and IR illumination. light mortar system’s license has been acquired
Following qualification in 2010, 2011 saw by Rheinmetall, which plans product upgrades.
Rheinmetall starting production of its One of them is this new digital clinometer (left),
Mithras modular rocket system with ranges which will improve accuracy and will make it
of 300, 600 and 1000 metres. Mithras rockets more user-friendly. (Armada/PV)
are waterproof down to two metres and can
be equipped with payloads for various
effects, such as white or IR illumination,
signalling, screening smoke, radar chaff or
radar tracking. All rockets adopt the same
twist ignition mechanism that guarantees
maximum safety against accidental ignition,
to Stanag 4497. To fire the rocket the
operator must keep both hands on the
system to ensure maximum accuracy. The
rockets come in the form of 350-mm long,
40-mm calibre tubes with weight ranging
from 500 to 800 grams depending on range
and payload type. Maximum altitude is
about 250 metres, while burning time of
illuminating or smoke payloads varies
between 20 and 40 seconds. The launch
customer was the British Army, which
carried out a tough qualification process
including vibration tests for helicopter
transport, and then adopted the IR Illum and
Smoke versions. It was followed by Canada
(with deliveries to start in early 2012) and by
Thailand. Denmark also selected the
Mithras and a contract is expected in 2012.
Thailand adopted among others a multiple-
star signalling warhead (many other types
are being developed).
Another product from the Rheinmetall
portfolio is the Fly-K, a light launcher the
round of which provides effects that are close
The launch customer for the Rheinmetall
Mithras hand-launched rockets is the British
Army, soon followed by numerous other
countries. (Armada/PV)
30 Compendium Special Operations 2/2012
With the most recent
developments of its AUG
Steyr Mannlicher
overcame the limitations of
the original rifle in terms of
sights and accessories
capacity. Steyr Mannlicher
to those of light mortars, but at considerable
weight savings. The system is not new, as years
ago it was produced by a French company,
rights having been acquired by Rheinmetall
in December 2006. A M4 Mk1 60-mm
Commando mortar with eight bombs weighs
over 21 kg. Although it has a more limited
range (currently 650 metres versus 1500 for
most 60-mm mortar rounds fired from
comparable length barrel), the 612-mm-long
Fly-K weighs only 4.7 kg and its HE round 780
grams (the heavier among operational
rounds), meaning that over 20 rounds can be
carried within the 21-kg limit, or, for a same
number of rounds the Fly-K system will add
less than eleven kilos to the patrol burden.
Another major advantage of the Fly-K is its
flashless and almost soundless operation that
reduces its chances of being spotted. When
the round is dropped in the tube its rear part
engages a spigot, acting on the manual firing
system, which ensures that the soldier keeps
both hands on the tube for maximum
accuracy, the operator ignites the launch
charge that accelerates the round up to its
muzzle velocity of around 97 metre/sec. That
gas remains within the bomb rear propulsion
section as it pushes backwards a piston that
seals the gas in the bomb when this leaves the
launch tube, thus considerably reducing the
sound and flash signature. According to
Rheinmetall, the launch of a Fly-K bomb
generates 52 dB against 80 dB for a 40-mm
low-velocity round and 100dB for a 60-mm
bomb. Five round types are available, HE
(M101), smoke (M105), illuminating (M106),
IR-illuminating (M116) and target practice
(M108). The HE round has a lethal range of 16
metres and generates 580 fragments, while
illuminating rounds provide their effect for
over 25 seconds at a range of 550 metres and
a height of 190. A clinometer
attached to the launcher is used
for range aiming, with a 0.3%
accuracy in range and 0.16% in
azimuth according the
company. A digital clinometer is
being introduced that automatically
provides the range on a three-digit screen. It
will be available by late 2012. New
developments in ammunition are
also in the pipeline. Extended-
range ammunition has already
been tested, reaching nearly
1000 metres, however
Rheinmetall is carefully
looking at safety, resistance and
system wear aspects. A decision
about the production of a new range of
ammunition or that of a new longer system
has still to be taken and will depend on
customer interest. The availability of the
digital clinometer will certainly help, as this
can work with more than one ballistic table.
Rheinmetall has just qualified its first batch
of production TP, IR Illum, WP and HE
rounds, which have been accepted by the
French Army. A French Army Special
Forces officer explained to the author that
the Fly-K had been used in Afghanistan and
Ivory Coast with very positive results.
Rheinmetall considers the Fly-K as a niche
system mostly aimed at Special Forces and
light infantry. Besides the French Special
Forces and the French Army infantry units,
the only other Fly-K customer is the United
Arab Emirates Special Forces. A modular,
multi-spike launcher is also proposed by
Rheinmetall for base protection. Known as
the Protector, it is able to launch up to twelve
rounds in 2.2 seconds.
Vital
Peripherals
While accurate aiming
is of paramount
importance when
responding to a threat,
that threat and its
particular origin are
often difficult to pick in an

open environment.
Manageable acoustic
detectors have now
come of age, and
see-through-wall devices
no longer are sci-fi
film props.
T
URNING FIRST to acoustic
detectors, Raytheon BBN
Technologies’ Boomerang Warrior-X
is being extensively employed
downrange with good results. A new entry in
individual acoustic sensors will be
introduced at Eurosatory in June, where
01dB Metravib of France will unveil the
production version of its Pilarw Weapon
Mounted System (WMS) acoustic gunshot
The latest version of 01dB Metravib’s Pilar
acoustic detection system, the rifle-mounted W,
provides direct cueing towards the source of fire.
detection system. The WMS is the
miniaturised version of the Pilar, a
tetrahedral microphone suite that has been
miniaturised and installed in a mushroom-
like dome where the lower part houses the
 processing unit, the display and the two
eight-hour endurance AA batteries. The
algorithms used for the soldier version are
the same as vehicular version. The
company’s choice was to install the sensor
directly on the weapon, with the system’s
read arrow display indicating to the gunner
where to point the gun with a ten per cent
accuracy in azimuth and a central green led
telling the soldier when he can start using
the gun’s sight. The display intensity can be
adjusted to ambient lighting, the system
being NVG compatible. The Pilarw can be
attached to the rifle via a Picatinny rail, does
not require a cable and can be mounted
either right or left to avoid interference with
optical sights. It weighs less that 350 grams
and can provide the threat distance with a
15 % accuracy. 01dB Metravib is talking to
numerous sight producers with a view to
integrating the system’s generated data into
the sights.

I PEEPING TOMS
With the increasing engagement of troops
in urban scenarios came a series of new
sensors to increase their situational
awareness. Sense-through-the-wall devices
are starting to be fielded. In 2010 the US
Army supplied its troops in Afghanistan
with tow versions of Tialinx Eagle 5 radar
scanners, one to identify human beings
behind walls and the other to unveil
tunnels and culverts. The millimetric-wave
Eagle5-P capable of identifying a live object
moving behind a wall was unveiled in April
2009. Used by the US Army downrange,
feedback indicates that soldiers would
prefer a single-hand device. Tialinx thus
developed the Eagle45-W (wearable) with
arm-mounted sense-through-the-wall unit
emitting nanosecond wideband pulses that
penetrate glass, wood, concrete, dry wall
and bricks. The receiver hardware and
algorithms build a depth-from-sensor
image based on the effective strength of the
received signals from a target. Commands
are reduced to four keys, the image being
projected on a featherweight high-
resolution display integrated within a pair
of glasses or goggles. The sensor weighs 3.2
kg with batteries.
In 2010 PEO Soldier placed two multi-
million dollar contracts with Raytheon
Space and Airborne Systems and L-3
Communications Cyterra for the
production of 30 Sea-Through-The-Wall
BCB International Blast Boxers ensure the protection of groin and inner thigh areas and
(STTW) units each for testing purposes.
thereby considerably reduce genital and femoral artery injuries. (Armada/PV)
Known as the AN/PPS-26 SSTW, they will

32 Compendium Special Operations 2/2012 23

The Xaver 100 developed by Camerotech of
Israel is a mono-dimensional lightweight sensor
that allows one to sense the presence of a
human being behind a wall and to estimate his
distance from the sensor. (Armada/PV)

allow the soldier to detect moving or

stationary targets behind a non-metallic
obstacle. The system should be capable of
picking up targets when used against the
wall as well as when activated at standoff
distance. Development was carried out
during FY11, operational testing and
Milestone C allowing the production of final
prototypes being scheduled for FY12 while
FY13 should see the first unit equipped with
the AN/PPS-26. Very few details on that
programme are available.
In Israel, Camero-Tech, part of the SK
Group, developed the Xaver family of
systems that ranges from the 3-D Xaver 800
through the tactical 2-D Xaver 400 to the
hand-held Xaver 100 unveiled in October
2011. The smaller system is 196 x 81 x 50
mm in size and weighs 550 grams
including the four AA batteries that ensure
three hours operation time. Using
Cyalume is developing a series of items that
are not only dedicated to lighting, but also to
in-field identification with a view to reducing
blue-on-blue accidents. (Armada/PV)

micropower, ultra-wideband pulsed radar

signals in the three to ten GHz band it can
detect a person behind concrete, plaster,
brick or drywall at eight metres with a
range resolution of less than 0.15 metres
over a 120° field of view in azimuth and
elevation. A graphic on its colour screen
shows a distance axis graduated from 0 to 8
metres with the symbol of a person either
static or on the move.

I PROTECT!
Issues such as protection and battlefield
identification have become of considerable
importance.
Statistics show that soldiers on foot
involved in IED accidents in Afghanistan
face increasing double amputations and
genital injuries. Besides body armour,
which defends the soldier’s torso, other
areas of the body absolutely need to be
protected, like the groin-inner thigh area
where reproduction organs as well as
femoral arteries are found. The systems
used to counter that risk have nothing to do
with usual ballistic groin protection added
to body armour. They come in the form of
underwear or outside blast boxers,
depending on the protection level required.
The US Army adopted a British-made

system, developed by Cooneen Watts &

Stone. This comes in two tiers, a lightweight
silk underwear with no fly to maximise
protection, and an outside garment with
Kevlar inserts to protect the pelvic and
inner thigh area.
The US Marine Corps adopted the
Armorworks Pugs, short for Protective
Undergarment. Also without fly, it is made of
fire/flame resistant breathable and
antimicrobial fabrics based on silk and they
look like bicycle shorts. An initial order for
15,000 Tier 1 garments was followed by
others, all Marines operating downrange
wearing them when operating out of base.
Kevlar based Tier 2 garments have also been

This photograph of a Chamerotech Xaver 100

screen shows the presence of a human
moving away from the sensor, and it displays
the distance. (Armada/PV)

34 Compendium Special Operations 2/2012

issued, worn only by Marines exposed to specific threats such as
IED disposal teams.
BCB International in Britain has developed a two-tier
system. Tier 1 is provided by Blast Boxers, which according to
the company ensure 30% higher protection compared to silk
products. They are flame retardant and weigh only 150 grams
in medium size. Two types of Tier 2 systems are provided by
BCB, Blast Chaps protecting the upper leg and groin area and
Blast Breeches that extend below knee. Both solutions feature
a waist band that fits outside the body armour and deflects the
blast away from the body, Blast Breeches also including an
aramid “split strap” that helps reducing hips and pelvic
dislocations, another frequent secondary effect of IED
explosions.
Ear protection is another major issue, various in-ear and
out-ear solutions having been adopted, both solutions showing
good and bad points. The latest in-ear development by Nacre, a
Honeywell company, is the Quietpro 400 that allows
controlling up to four different communication devices,
providing full jump-on/plug-in transition throughout all
mobility platforms. The Quietpro 400 is equipped with a fit-
check system that is run upon ear tip insertion and alerts the
soldier if the level of protection is not met. External
microphones catch the signal that is processed by the digital
noise reduction system that brings down noise to an acceptable
level while optimising communications. The soldier can also
tune hearing amplification to x5 normal hearing. Powered by a
rechargeable Li-Ion 3.7 V cell or by two Lithium CR123

disposable batteries that provide over 60
hours with typical user profile, the QP400
control unit weighs 290 grams while the
headset weighs only 36 grams. An even
more comfortable headset was introduced
in early 2012 while a system that allows in-
ear noise recording should also be available
by mid-2012. Honeywell is proposing its
Quietpro 400 for the UK Tactical Hearing
Protection Programme that should be
launched in the current year.
The latest development of Peltor, a 3M
I INDEX TO ADVERTISERS
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AIMPOINT
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ARGON
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ELBIT ELOP
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36 Compendium Special Operations 2/2012
The US Marine Corps selected Armorworks
Protective Undergarment to improve the
safety of its Marines deployed downrange.
(US Marine Corps)
company, is the Comtac IV hybrid headset.
The new version is based on the Comtac
ACH (III) but earmuffs are replaced by
earplugs. The inside shape has been
redesigned and the cup is shorter and
generates less interference with the rifle
stock. The ear bud is attached to the frame,
thus taking the strain and weight off the ear
canal. New earplugs are under development
to further increase comfort.
Another key issue is battlefield
identification. Awaiting the advent of a
battlefield IFF, lighting and IR devices are
currently used. Cyalume, well known for its
visible and IR chemiluminescent sticks, is
producing IR-reflectant patches that can be
seen some 600 metres away and identified
at a range of 100 metres. The company also
developed the Cypad, a small pouch with
two compartments with a piercing system
that puts in contact the two elements
generating visible light (in different colours,
or in IR spectrum. Cypad Visible and
Cypad IR are lighter than Cyalume batons
and ensure respectively ten and eight hours
of light. A third version, the Cypad
Thermal, generates heat up to 45-50°C
providing a beacon for thermal imaging
systems. Currently Cypad Thermal is made
of a pouch containing a chemical to which
water must be added to start the reaction,
which ensures duration of four to six hours.
However Cyalume is working to improve its
design and to make its activation much
simpler, the production version being
awaited for the second half of 2012.
7 PHOTONIS 29
27 REMINGTON DEFENSE C4
13 REVISION 9
35 SAGEM C2
31 SELEX GALILEO 15
5 SOFEX JORDAN C3
21 TEAHEADSETS.COM 17
33 TRASER 35
3 TRIJICON 11
23 VECTRONIX 25
ON THE COVER: A Remington Adaptive Combat
Rifle being put through its paces. The rifle is one
of the many competitors for the US Army Individual
Carbine competition. Fully ambidextrous, it is a
modular weapon that can be converted from 5.56
mm to 6.8 mm calibre in less than two minutes.
Compendium Special Operations 2012
Supplement to Issue 2/2012
Volume 36, Issue No. 2, April/May 2012
INTERNATIONAL
is published bi-monthly by Media Transasia Ltd.
Copyright 2012 by Media Transasia Ltd.
Publishing Office: Media Transasia Ltd,
Room No. 1205-1206, Hollywood Centre 233,
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Tel: (852) 2815 9111, Fax: (852) 2815 1933
Editor-in-Chief: Eric H. Biass
Regular Contributors: Roy Braybrook,
Paolo Valpolini, Thomas Withington
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Sr. Manager International Marketing: Vishal Mehta
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