Night
Vision Devices, Goggles, aimers and pointers: making sense of it all!
We begin with the AN/PVS-4 Night
Vision Device (NVD), a large "Starlight" scope or image intensifier
that attaches to the top carrying handle of the M16/M4 5.56mm rifle/carbine or
the M60/M240B Medium Machine Gun, and AT4 anti-tank/assault rocket.
Its heavy.
If you carry it on during the daytime, its
daylight cover may fall off and become lost since its not dummy corded. We need
to fix this! Then without its special cover you can't zero it safely during
daytime. Its knobs also like to fall off.
But--it can be made to work using
"AA" batteries via an adaptor
and on the weapon it doesn't need zeroing changes between shooters--everyone
has the same eye relief by mashing into the rubber eyepiece. Its VERY acurate
once zeroed. We were able to (Battlesight ZerO) BZO the AN/PVS-4 and get
amazing accuracy using the unit's indoor range. My advice: make it your OP/LP
weapon, and empowerment for MGs and AT4 rockets in night operations.
The main drawback is as a scope, the AN/PVS-4
NVD is only occasionally used, its not an aid to Soldier night vision to move
about except from a static observation/aiming position. If you wear
image-intensifier Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) you'll have to flip them up and
then look into the AN/PVS-4 NVD to aim/fire, a clumbsy set-up.
So to aim/fire wearing NVGs, we have the
AN/PAQ-4C aiming light which is visible only when wearing NVGs. There is also
an AN/PEQ-4 which does the same thing but has a flashlight-type illuminator
again only works if you are wearing NVGs. Both emit red
laser beams which can be seen however by the enemy if he has night vision
devices (he does). The AN/PAQ-4C and AN/PEQ-4 both fit on the end of the
handguard so they don't block the iron day sights or collimators/scopes. Then
there are visible light red
laser beams that place a red dot or cross-hair on the target, which is
helpful if you want your target to have a chance to surrender. All's well,
right?
Not quite.
The weakness is the Night Vision Goggle
itself, in situations where its dark, but not dark enough to wear NVGs, you need
to use your natural eye vision. Problem is that its still TOO DARK to aim with
iron sights.
While you can and should use
collimator/reflex sights in this case, you still may be stumbling around in the
dark.
Confused yet?
The thinking here is to have a powerful flashlight
attached to the end of your weapon to momentarily "flash" onto the
target to insure its not a friendly, helpful in room clearing in MOUT
situations. This is what the AN/PEQ-4 does in infared, but you have to be
wearing NVGs.
So then what do we need?
TRAINING FIX: AIMSS
The situation is so bad, the Army at the
urging of the 82nd Airborne Division is instituting a "master gunner"
program to create a subject matter expert in every infantry unit who will know
the exacting details to operate the myriad of night vision devices to create an
Advanced Infantry Marksmanship Strategy and Standards (AIMSS) which can be seen
encapsulated equipment-wise on this link:
U.S. Army Digital Library
Infantry
Magazine
Merging
Technology And Training: The 82nd Airborne Divisions Master Gunner Program
Master
Marksmen In The Light Infantry
How to Zero
and Maintain the M68 Close Combat Optic
EQUIPMENT FIX: LESS OPTIC TYPES
In my opinion, we need ONE laser beam
emittor, an "AN/PAQ-2000" so to speak, that can either project a
visible or invisible red dot, or broad IR illumination. And it needs a powerful
flashlight built-in which can accept colored lenses. It needs both a pressure
switch and a steady on/off switch. This replaces the AN/PAQ-4C and AN/PEQ-4,
the myriad visible laser sights and the cumbersome flashlight mounts. The
projected dot is useful for close-range, fast moving situations where you are
moving too fast to aim/shoot but need to place-the-dot/shoot. The OICW folks say that's what they achieve with their
integrated electronics package on top of their new weapon, though its
monstrously too heavy.
During the day time you need a collimator/reflex
sight, like the Armson OEG (hero at Son Tay), ACOG or Aimpoint Comp
M/ML adopted by the U.S. Army as the M68 reflex sight. The M68 mounts on
top of the handguard like the IDF
Elbit sight. Once zeroed, they work for any shooter that fires the weapon,
like the AN/PVS-4 NVD.
In other words, you no longer use the iron
sight rear or front sights with the M68.
In contrast, with OEG/ACOG you can still
look UNDER them and use the iron sights, and in the case of the ACOG you have a
scope to look farther out and identify targets and observe like binoculars,
call-for-fire etc. This is why Army SF adopted the ACOG and the ACOG reflex
sight (clone of the IDF's Elbit or M68 but doesn't use batteries--HELLO? why
didn't we buy this???). My advice is to put better MILS scales in the ACOG to
facilitate calls-for-fire. Unlike the M68, the OEG and ACOG are radioactive
element-powered and do not require a constant resupply of yet another battery
as the M68 requires. However OEG uses one eye seeing into a blocked or occluded
red dot and some of my men simply cannot use this sight because they don't have
binocular vision. ACOG is a see-through sight, but its expensive, about $1,000
each. Both OEG and ACOG are too close to the single lens of the AN/PVS-7B NVG
to work in conjunction with them. However, they might work if you were wearing
a AN/PVS-14 night vision MONOCULAR and one eye looked into the OEG and the
other eye through the night vision mono-goggle (NVM). I prefer the mono-goggle
approach in general because it gives you more peripherial vision, keeps your
eyes cooler and not fogging up, and gives more
depth perception than both eyes under image intensifiers.
The M68 DOES interface wearing
NVGs...since the AN/PVS-7B is the "bread and butter" NVG for the U.S.
military. The M68 and NVG combination is the cheapest,simplest day/night fire
capability---you could move at night with NVGs. Engage targets with the M68
interface. During the day, engage with regular eyes and the M68. In those
twilight situations, you mount a flashlight to verify the target, engage with
the M68 red dot. If you want the ability to convince a foe to surrender, you
add a visible light laser beam or the "SUPER" AN/PAQ-2000 I proposed
earlier. If its darker you can aways put on NVGs.
Head spinning yet?
In fact, if you keep the outer lens cover
closed on the M68, it works just like an OEG, this is a good feature if the
enemy is using laser weapons against you. The only drawback is that you have to
use a lithium DL 1/3N battery to power the M68.
What you are supposed to do in those
situations where its dark and you can see with your eyes but its too dark to
shoot with iron sights or the M68 reflex red dot, is to attach the AN/PVS-14
NVM BEHIND the M68 to get a starlight scope capability with less bulk than the
AN/PVS-4 NVD.
AN/PVS-14 NVM mounted directly behind M68 CCO
As you can see in the photo above,
lightweight thermal sights are also being fielded in elite U.S. Army infantry
units to effect superior target surveillance, acquisition and engagement.
PRESERVING BATTERY POWER IN YOUR M68 CLOSE
COMBAT OPTIC
What I've found to my chagrin is that its
easy to to fail to turn the M68 off---so when you come to turn it back on, the
battery is DEAD. The low-tech solution is to turn the M68 off, and where the
knob is oriented paint a red mark with oil-based model paint in the depression
in the knob. Paint another mark at the top of the M68 body, so when the two
marks are together you know the power has been turned OFF (Red = stop).
http://155.217.58.58/cgi-bin/atdl.dll/fm/3-06.11/ch3.htm#par23
Precision room clearing allows little or
no margin for error. Too slow a shot at an enemy, too fast a shot at a
noncombatant, or inaccurate shots can all be disastrous for the clearing team.
Proper weapon ready technique, stance, aiming, shot placement, and trigger
manipulations constitute reflexive shooting. Reflexive shooting techniques are
used by all members of the fire team, to include M203 and M249 gunners.
a. Weapon Ready Positions.
The two weapon ready positions are low
ready and high ready (Figure 3-36).
(1) Low Ready Position. The butt of the
weapon is placed firmly in the pocket of the shoulder with the barrel pointed
down at a 45-degree angle. This position is the safest carry position. It
should be used by the clearing team while inside the room, except when actually
entering and clearing.
(2) High, Ready Position. The butt of the
weapon is held under the armpit, with the barrel pointed slightly up, keeping
the front sight assembly under the line of sight but within the gunner's peripheral
vision. To engage a target, the gunner pushes the weapon out as if to bayonet
the target. When the weapon leaves the armpit, he slides it up into the firing
shoulder. This technique is used when moving in a single file.
Figure 3-36. Ready positions for the
M16A2.
b. Stance. Feet are about shoulder-width
apart. Toes are pointed to the front (direction of movement). The firing side
foot is slightly staggered to the rear of the non-firing side foot. Knees are
slightly bent and the upper body is leaned slightly forward. Shoulders are
square and pulled back, not rolled over or slouched. The head is up and both
eyes are open. When engaging targets, the gunner holds the weapon with the butt
in the pocket of his shoulder.
c. Aiming with Iron Sights.
The four aiming techniques all have their
place during combat in urban areas, but the aimed quick-kill technique is the
one most often used in precision room clearing.
(1) Slow Aimed Fire. This technique is the
most accurate. It consists of taking up a steady, properly aligned sight
picture and squeezing off rounds. It is normally used for engagements beyond 25
meters or when the need for accuracy overrides speed.
(2) Rapid Aimed Fire. This technique
features an imperfect sight picture in which windage is critical but elevation
is of lesser importance. When the front sight post is in line with the target,
the gunner squeezes the trigger. This technique is used against targets out to
15 meters and is fairly accurate and very fast.
(3) Aimed Quick Kill. This technique
consists of using a good spot weld and placing the front sight post flush on
top of the rear peep sight. It is used for very quick shots out to 12 meters.
Windage is important, but elevation is not critical with relation to the
target. This technique is the fastest and most accurate. With practice,
soldiers can become deadly shots at close range.
(4) Instinctive Fire. This technique is
the least desirable. The gunner focuses on the target and points the weapon in
the target's general direction, using muscle memory to compensate for lack of
aim. This technique should be used only in emergencies.
d. M68 Close Combat Optic.
The M68 Close Combat Optic (CCO) is an
excellent close combat aiming system when used properly. Remember, the M68 is
not a telescope sight.
(1) Aimed Fire. This technique requires
looking through the CCO with both eyes open and focusing on the target. An
optical illusion places a red aiming dot in front of the firer. The dot is
placed on the target then the target is engaged with fire. The aiming dot does
not have to be centered in the optic. The CCO is used in the same manner at all
ranges. Therefore, there is no distinction between slow aimed fire, rapid aimed
fire, and aimed quick kill techniques.
(2) Instinctive Fire. This technique
remains the same with the CCO.
e. Trigger Manipulation. Rapid, aimed,
semiautomatic fire is the most effective method of engaging targets during
precision room clearing. As each round is fired from the aimed quick-kill position,
the weapon's recoil makes the front sight post move in a small natural arc. The
gunner should not fight this recoil. He should let the weapon make the arc and
immediately bring the front sight post back onto the target and take another
shot. This two-shot combination is known as firing a controlled pair. Soldiers
must practice a controlled pair until it becomes instinctive. Clearing team
members continue to fire controlled pairs until the target goes down. If there
are multiple targets, team members engage with a controlled pair and then
return to reengage any enemy left standing or still trying to resist.
f. Shot Placement. In precision room
clearing, enemy soldiers must be incapacitated immediately. Shots that wound or
are mortal but do not incapacitate the target instantaneously are better than
misses but may allow the enemy to return fire. While a solid head-shot is
expected to instantaneously incapacitate the enemy, a target area of 5 by 8
inches may be difficult to hit when moving rapidly in a low crouch position.
(1) Members of clearing teams should
concentrate on achieving solid, well-placed shots (controlled pairs) to the
upper chest, then to the head (Figure 3-37). This shot placement increases the
first round hit probability and allows for a second round incapacitating shot.
(2) This engagement technique is more
reliable than attempting head-shots only and is easy for Soldiers to learn,
having been taught previously to aim at center of mass.
Figure 3-37. Lethal to incapacitating shot
placement.
g. Reflexive Shooting Techniques During
Limited Visibility. Reflexive shooting techniques are also used during periods
of limited visibility.
(1) Visible Illumination. When using
flashlights or other visible illumination, treat all engagements as day
engagements and use the applicable technique as described above. Bright light
shone into the enemy's eyes can limit his effectiveness; also, be aware that a
flashlight marks your location as well.
(2) AN/PAQ-4 and AN/PEQ-2 Aiming Lights.
When using IR aiming lights in conjunction
with night vision goggles (NVGs), use the instinctive fire technique to point
the weapon at the target while activating the aiming light. This technique
should place the aiming dot within the field of view of the NVGs and on or near
the target. Adjust placement of the aiming dot onto the target and fire. Note
that target discrimination is more difficult when using NVGs. IR illumination
provided by flashlights with IR filters, or the illuminator that is integral
with the PEQ-2, can aid in target identification and discrimination. IR
illumination is also required inside buildings when there is no ambient light.
(3) AN/PAS-13 Thermal Weapons Sight.
The thermal weapons sight (TWS) offers
some distinct advantages over IR viewers. It does not
require any ambient light and does not bloom out when encountering a sudden
light source. However, its weight and bulk are a disadvantage when
performing reflexive firing techniques. With the sight in the ON position, the
TWS has a power-saving feature that turns off the viewer after a period of
inactivity. The Soldier reactivates the sight by placing his eye against the
rubber eyecup. When reactivated, it takes a few seconds for the sight to cool
itself down enough to regain an image. This delay is not acceptable for
Soldiers using TWS while conducting room and building clearing tasks. When
performing precision clearing tasks, the TWS must remain in the EMERGENCY
setting, which allows it to remain continuously active.
NOTE: The emergency setting on the TWS
greatly reduces the battery life, which requires more frequent battery changes.
(4) When using the TWS during periods of
limited visibility, it is best to use the PAQ-4 aiming light, with the
AN/PVS-14 Monocular NVG for reflexive shooting engagements. Use the TWS when
the slow aimed fire technique is appropriate. For daytime and high visibility
periods, Soldiers using the TWS should not be placed on point, or be among the
numbers 1 through 3 men of a room clearing team. When employed in urban
operations, Soldiers must be aware that the TWS cannot detect targets through
window glass. The TWS is effective in daytime for locating targets hidden in
shadows.
3-24. TARGET DISCRIMINATION
Target discrimination is the act of
quickly distinguishing between combatant and noncombatant personnel and
engaging only the combatants. U.S. forces engage in precision room clearing to
apply discriminating combat power and limit unnecessary casualties among
noncombatants. Target discrimination is vital in precision room clearing. If
there are no noncombatants then there is less of a need for selective
engagements. However, even if an area is known to be free of noncombatants,
other Soldiers moving through the area may be mistaken as enemy and engaged
unless clearing team members are disciplined and well-trained in fire control
and target discrimination. Even with well-trained, disciplined Soldiers,
precision room clearing can result in unintentional casualties among
noncombatants. Commanders must recognize this and take steps to relieve the
stress it causes Soldiers.
STOPPING GLINT! BEFORE IT GETS YOU AND
YOUR MEN KILLED!
BEFORE
AFTER
The downside of optics
like binoculars and aiming scopes is that during the
day time their glass can reflect light causing glint that can be
seen by the enemy. We also no longer "own the
night"---the enemy has night vision devices, too.
The M68 CCO and the ACOG both have
MIL-SPEC killFLASH! Anti-Reflection Devices (ARDs) available from the Tenebraex
Company, 326 A Street, Boston, MA 02210 USA email: sales@camouflage.com.
M68 CCO ARDNSN
6650-01-439-5386
The killFlash® model M68-ARD is designed
to suppress potentially compromising reflections from the orange objective lens
of the M68 Close Combat Optic. This rugged, low profile killFlash® ARD enhances
the Close Combat Optic ís use under a wide range of infantry engagement
scenarios, including patrolling, MOUT, close quarters battle (CQB), and fire
and maneuver operations.
The patented geometry of the M68-ARD ís
honeycomb shield maintains a clear, bright view through the sight and does not
interfere with target acquisition. The lightweight, low maintenance design of
the M68-ARD adds virtually no additional weight to the Soldier's load, and
provides essential objective lens protection against the elements and rough
handling. Simple screw-in installation allows the sight's existing flip-open
cover to still be used.
As well as ARDs for Army M24 sniper scopes
and M22 full-size
and M24 mini
binoculars.
TRAINING TO SHOOT/KILL IN THE DARK
Excuses, excuses. There is no excuse on
this one. If you leave your AN/PVS-4 NVD or AN/PVS-7B lens caps on you can
train on them during the day time. No place to shoot?
Not true.
You can invest about $120 and get a .22 LR adaptor for your
5.56mm weapons or just buy the new frangible
5.56mm ammunition. Then you can shoot lights on or off with Night Vision
Devices/Goggles, no excuse.
KEEPING YOUR HEAD STRAIGHT...
Thank the Army we now have helmet mounts
for AN/PVS-7B NVGs or the AN/PVS-14 NV
Mono-Goggle. The internal head harness was painful to wear, resulting in
Soldiers not having NVGs on, instead using them slung around the neck like
"opera glasses". If you heard something by the time you placed them
up to your eyes they would often be gone.
The U.S. Army
Center for Lessons Learned (CALL) Reports:
"At night, carry NVGs in a
claymore bag around your neck on your chest. This allows easy access and
protects the NVGs from the elements."
Our observation: the Claymore bag (M7 bandoleer)
too big and cumbersome.
We need a better way to carry NVGs at your
chest than the claymore bag which flops around.
But you do not want to parachute jump with
the NVG or NVGs on your head or in a claymore bag, so many stuff them in their
BDU shirts (!). There is a better way.
52RCH Chest
mounted radio holder
Ordering info:
Brigade
Quartermasters
Raine NVG/BINOC Chest Pouch
Black, OD Green or 3-color Desert Camou
CPR01 $23.99
Raine Inc.
6401 S Madison Avenue
PO Box 4230
Anderson, Indiana 46013-0230
Order line: (800) 826-5354
Fax (765) 622-7691
Voice (765) 622-7687
Chest radio
pouch by RAINE Inc: www.raineinc.com/communications_products.html
For more info, e-mail rainemail@raineinc.com
We have discovered that the RAINE chest
radio pouch is just large enough to fit AN/PVS-7B NVGs, and easily accepts the
AN/PVS-14 NVG. You can order it from the company at the hyperlink above or from
U.S. Cavalry store. Recently I special ordered an Olive Drab GREEN pouch from
RAINE, pictured below:
Our goal is to get NVG manufacturers and
Soldiers in units to buy these chest pouches in OD GREEN and 3-COLOR DESERT OR
TAN and get this problem solved! I have submitted the pouch to the Soldier
Enhancement Program (SEP) but I have little hope since I've submitted ideas
before and there is a civilian against-everything type who vetoes most good
items from the get-go. Too bad he wasn't in uniform having to live with the
junk we get.
During the day, the pouch can hold a small
set of binoculars for observation/calls-for-fire,
though the ACOG scope with MILS scale would be simpler and lighter. My only complaint
is that the pouch is in BLACK when it should be OD GREEN or BROWN. With the
chest pouch securely holding the NVGs/NVG, and the string around your neck,
there s little or no risk of them flying loose after parachute opening shock or
running around the battlefield. When you want to attach them to your helmet,
you remove them and attach.
To attach the NVGs we have went from
fragile plastic click-on mounts to sturdier slide-on metal mounts both strap
over the top of the Kevlar PASGT helmet.
In recent combat operations Soldiers have
used the suspension hole through the center of the mount and bolted them to
their helmets to eliminate the strap and possibility of it falling off if the
buckle unclips. You can also "hard mount" NVG mounts to your CVC
helmet by drilling a hole in the center of the hard shell and using the same
PASGT Kevlar helmet bolt/nut.
Details here:
CVC and PASGT Kevlar Helmet camouflage and NVG hard
mounting details
However, if you are in a force-on-force
training situation using MILES gear you need the strap to wear over the helmet
HALO by the FRONT of the NVG mount going on the outside of the the HALO and
brow of the helmet, yet UNDERNEATH the MILES HALO at the back lip of the helmet
using the metal "U" clip.
The 75th Ranger Regiment uses the RACK
load bearing system that has a front bib to carry NVGs and binoculars:
http://us-elitegear.com/specials.htm
Ranger Assault Carrying Kit (RACK)
The Ranger Assault Carrying Kit (RACK)
will accept all MOLLE compatible pockets. The RACK was designed for the members
of the 75th Ranger Regiment.
The RACK frees up the hip and abdomen area
by being worn on the chest thus not conflicting with a waist belt on a
rucksack. Additional space for pockets is provided by a fold-up stash away bib
that attaches on the D-rings mounted on each shoulder strap. The bib has a
pocket behind it that will hold a pair of AN/PVS-7D's or the new M-24 mini
binocular. The RACK is worn with the shoulder straps crossed in the back or H
harness style. The shoulder straps are low profile webbing to work with a pack
on or off and with or without body armor. All new modular pockets on the
AIRSAVE aviators survival vest, Marine MOLLE system and Army Modular Load
System (MLS) are compatible with the RACK.
The RACK is issued with the following
components: 4 pockets that each hold 2 M-4 magazines and 2 twelve gauge shotgun
rounds, 4 fragmentation grenade pockets, 1 Saber radio pocket, 1 pocket that
will accommodate the AN/PRC-126 radio or can be used for General Purpose items
(like chem lights, weapons cleaning kit, etc.) and 1
Quart Canteen Pocket with a stash away flap (this pocket can be used to
hold more frag or 40 MM grenades as well as NVG's etc), 1 leg pouch. The leg
bag can be quickly snapped on and off the leg via a 2" side release fastex
adapter, and can be positioned anywhere on the RACK harness.
The leg pouch provides storage for
additional magazines, frags or demolitions and pyro-technical signaling devices
or a standard issue protective mask. The leg pouch may
also be slung on a general-purpose sling.
Woodland Camo Brand New! never issued
Also Available in 3 Color Desert
3-Color Desert Camo Photos
Now-In-Stock
NVG MOUNT PROTECTOR AND RANK INSIGNIA
HOLDER
When you secure your NVG mount by the
front bolt of your PASGT helmet, you block your rank insignia sewn onto your
camouflage cover. The mount can be damaged by a hard parachute landing fall
(PLF) so many place a wad of 100 mph tape over the mount good to get you
through the initial parachute jump of a forced-entry.
However, you still do no have rank showing
for command and control purposes though your helmet should be camouflaged by a
"rag top". Details:
And your mount is unprotected after you
pull of your 100 mph tape.
To remedy this, we have created a NVG
Mount/Rank insignia holder:
PROTOTYPE #1
The NVG mount protector is a double
thickness of 2 inch nylon webbing that has a oval slot in it so you screw your
mount bolt through it, securing it to the helmet outside, flush under the NVG
mount. It has velcro so the flap is folded across the mount to protect it and a
tab to hold the ECWCS Gore-Tex Parka rank tab.
When you want to attach the NVG bracket,
you open the flap and roll it back onto a piece of velcro glued to your hemlet.
This was design #1.
It was thick to roll back and required the
extra piece of velcro on the helmet.
Instead for design #2, we suggest omitting
the rank tab holder and sewing rank insignia directly onto the center of the
flap to display rank. This makes for a thinner flap that can roll back onto
itself and be secured by a single piece of velcro. The simpler design should
make the protector less than $1 to make, mass produced.
The beauty of the NVG mount protector is
that it can always protect the mount when not in use and provides a way to
display rank for C2.
Prototype #2 NEW! PERFECTED!
To view the new Colonel Bull Simons NVG
mount & rank/ID cover by SKEDCO:
www.geocities.com/skedco2000/nvghelmetcover.htm
What about tracers?
http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/article.cfm?Id=868
U.S. Commandos Test New 5.56 mm Dim Tracer
Ammo
by Sandra I. Erwin
U.S. Army special warfare units are
considering buying a new type of armor-piercing tracer ammunition that makes it
possible for sharpshootersusing night-vision rifle sightsto fire their weapons
at night and not be dazzled by the muzzle flash.
Tracer ammunition uses a bullet that
contains a pyrotechnic compositionsimilar to that used in a flarein a hollow
base, which is ignited by the cartridge powder when fired.
It is used mostly by military units for
target spotting and marksmanship training, because it allows the shooter to see
the bullets trajectory.
Standard tracer ammunition creates
excessive illumination or visual interferenceknown as blooming effectfor the
user, when viewed through night-vision devices.
Infrared tracer, also called dim-tracer
ammunition, has a special cartridge, which is invisible to the naked eye, but
is visible through night-vision devices and does not cause the blooming effect.
Dim-tracer ammunition has been around for
several years, but its been only recently that 5.56mm, NATO-compliant
armor-piercing rounds have been available to military buyers. The infrared
tracer is loaded with a special powder that reduces the muzzle flash and
minimizes the signature that can expose the gunner to the enemy.
About two years ago, the Nordic Ammunition
Company (Nammo) introduced a 5.56 mm, dim-tracer projectile that meets NATO
requirements. The round can penetrate 15mm armor [Lav3stryker is 14mm thin] and any
Kevlar helmet or vest from a distance of 100 meters.
Ever since, the company has been trying to
garner international sales of this ammo, which has a tungsten core and a steel
jacket, said Mart Pella, marketing manager at Nammo corporate headquarters, in
Sweden. He said that U.S. Army special-operations units are now testing the
5.56mm dim-tracer rounds and possibly could acquire the ammunition for
operational use. Swedens special forces so far are the only buyers of this
round.
The U.S. government, however, is Nammo's
biggest customer.
Projectiles that have a steel core tend to
be more penetrating, but Nammo decided to use tungsten, because it has better
density, Pella explained.
For future night combat, the conventional
tracer must be replaced or complemented with a tracer cartridge that is not
visible to the human eye, is visible with image intensifiers and creates
minimal muzzle flash, he said. A sniper can aim the target and see it without
being blinded by blooming. Further, if the enemy does not have night-vision
goggles, he cannot see where the fire is coming fromand he will not know where
to hide.
International small-arms expert Terry
Gander said that Nammo is probably the only company that has the 5.56mm dim-tracer
bullet. But he noted that the 5.56mm size is not the preferred sniper
cartridge. They usually go for 7.62mm, Gander said.
Other experts noted that, because the
Nammo dim tracer still is an unproven technology, its not clear what effects it
may have on shooting accuracy and long-term barrel wear.
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