N2 Imaging Systems to build Army's first clip-on thermal weapon sight designed for snipers

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md., 6 June 2016. U.S. Army night vision experts are asking electro-optical engineers at N2 Imaging Systems LLC in Irvine, Calif., to build the Army's first clip-on thermal weapon sight specifically developed and fielded for snipers.

Officials of the Army Contracting Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., announced an $81.1 million five-year contract to N2 Imaging systems on Friday for full-scale development of the Army Family of Weapons Sights-Sniper.

N2 engineers will develop the new night-vision weapon sight for sniper rifles in three phases, of which Friday's contract represents the first phase.

First, N2 engineers will design, build, and test engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) versions of the sniper night vision weapon sights.

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The second phase will involve delivery orders to design, build, and test low-rate initial production (LRIP) versions of the new sniper rifle sights. The last phase will involve delivery orders to provide full-rate production versions of the sniper sights. If Army leaders exercise all options, they would ask N2 Imaging Systems to build as many as 5,375 night-vision sniper weapon sights.

N2 engineers will develop weapon sights for in-line mounting with the sniper's day sight to enhance the shooter's ability to fire accurately at targets in all light levels and limited visibility scenarios, Army officials say.

A sniper -- what the Army used to call a marksman -- operates from hiding alone or with a partner and maintains constant visual contact with the enemy. When he has the opportunity, the sniper shoots important enemy targets and personnel from distances or from cover that the enemy cannot detect.

Snipers typically are trained to hit targets with special large-caliber rifles from long distances. In addition to accurate long range shooting, military snipers are trained in detection, stalking, estimating range to target, camouflage, field craft, infiltration, special reconnaissance and observation, surveillance, and target acquisition.

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In the past, snipers typically have been limited to operating in daylight because accurate long-range sniper weapon sights were not widely available. The Army is looking to N2 Imaging Systems to change all that.

N2 engineers will develop a night-vision sniper's weapon sight to enhance the sniper’s ability to engage targets accurately in all light levels and in limited visibility. The company prevailed over two other bidders for this contract.

On this contract N2 will do the work in locations to be determined, and should be finished by June 2021. For more information contact N2 Imaging Systems online at www.n2imaging.com, the Army Contracting Center at Aberdeen Proving Ground at www.acc.army.mil/contractingcenters/acc-apg.