Navy picks Nightforce Optics to provide daylight precision rifle sights for U.S. Special Operations
CRANE, Ind. – U.S. Navy special operations experts are asking electro-optics engineers at Nightforce Optics Inc. in Orofino, Idaho, to provide U.S. Special Operations Command with rifle scopes for near-range engagements out to and beyond the maximum effective range of the weapons.
Officials of the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Crane, Ind., are awarding a potential $21.2 million contract to Nightforce to build Squad-Variable Powered Scopes (S-VPS) in support of U.S. Special Operations Command. The initial contract is for $15.8 million, and includes the S-VPS, spare parts, and training.
The S-VPS is the Nightforce ATACR 1-8X24 F1 low-power electro-optical variable rifle scope that includes ED glass, daylight illumination, an intelligent reticle, low-profile adjustments, and a field of view at 1x equivalent to open sights, yet more precise, company officials say.
The rifle sight is slightly longer than 10 inches, and weighs 21 ounces. Its daylight visible center red dot allows for rapid engagements.
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The sight provides as much as 8x zoom to help locate, identify, and engage targets at the maximum effective range of most rifles. Its intelligent FC-DM first focal plane reticle provides precise hold and hold-off points.
The rifle sight low-profile turrets are capped to prevent accidental adjustment and offer 0.1 mil-radian adjustment. The sight has an integrated power throw lever to aid in fast magnification adjustments.
On this contract Nightforce will do the work in Orofino, Idaho, and should be finished by September 2023. For more information contact Nightforce online at www.nightforceoptics.com, or the Naval Surface Warfare Center-Crane at www.navsea.navy.mil/Home/Warfare-Centers/NSWC-Crane.
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John Keller | Editor
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
