This is a big deal for those of you who use Thermal Weapon Sights. The improvement will result in smaller and lighter sights which use less power. While the new technology is initially being integrated into the Universal Thermal Clip-On, I’m told you’ll see it brought over to new versions of the Skeet-IR and the UTM which are widely used.
HUDSON, New Hampshire — BAE Systems today unveiled its first-to-market 12-micron thermal imaging technology that significantly improves the effectiveness of thermal weapon sights. The company’s Universal Thermal Clip-On version XII (UTC XII) is the first military-grade thermal weapon sight to include the new 12-micron technology, which greatly reduces lens size, total system weight, and battery use, while delivering improved image quality.
“This 12-micron-based solution builds on our decades-long history of providing special operations and tactical customers with cutting edge thermal imaging products,” said Marc Casseres, director of Imaging and Aiming at BAE Systems. “Our 12-micron technology, will allow users to detect, recognize, and defeat threats in all weather and visibility conditions, like never before.”
Similar to the 17-micron Universal Thermal Clip-On, which is currently fielded by the U.S. military in support of long-range sniper and surveillance missions, the UTC XII will also complement existing day sight systems. This versatility allows users to rapidly move from day to night vision with no mission interruption.
Providing 12-micron technology furthers BAE Systems’ commitment to delivering the latest technology in unrivalled thermal imaging and aiming products for the most discriminating operators. The UTC XII allows the user to detect, recognize, and identify threats in all weather conditions, day or night, and provides the ability to simultaneously observe the target area through fog, smoke, dust, and haze to provide superior situational awareness. The company plans to integrate 12-micron technology into its full line of thermal imaging and aiming monoculars, weapon sights, and binoculars.
BAE Systems will publicly display the UTC XII, in conjunction with its distribution partners TSSI and Source One, at the upcoming SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.
