Thermal Reflex Sight

Currently, our Special Operators deploy many electro-optic devices on the battlefield for various mission-specific tasks. Specifically, night vision goggles (NVGs) utilizing low light sensor technology have been used for decades and have proven their operational effectiveness on the battlefield. Night vision goggles, however, require actively emitting laser devices to direct fire at night. During the day, when NVGs are not used, operators utilize day optics such as scopes red-dot sights as standalone or in conjunction with infrared clip-ons for fire control. In recent years, fusion goggles incorporating a thermal spectral band have also proven to be tactically significant, but in the daytime, they do not provide a standalone fire control capability. Although clip-ons and standalone day optics are very accurate and effective, they require a cheek weld to the weapon to engage targets. Our technical approach and research will focus on providing the operator with day and night capability to detect targets and accurately direct fire without a cheek weld. Specifically, we will research, analyze, and optimize a thermal reflex sight that will work in conjunction with existing day optics and provide the operator day and night capability to accurately detect and engage targets while wearing night vision goggles (look-under) and standalone in the daytime.