Early this year, Naval Surface Warfare Center – Crane released a solicitation for a new generation of Very Bright Lights. Several companies answered the call and Crane has awarded contracts to SureFire for their HellFighter, M620V Scout Light®, and the M720V RAIDâ„¢ that we wrote about at SHOT Show 2010. Two types of Very bright Lights were selected. The VBL-H (visible bright light heavy) and VBL-III. Both contracts are Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity.
The VBL-H contract is for $16.6 million and will field the HellFighter as a heavy weapons light. The HellFighter is no stranger to SOF troops and models were purchased under a similar contract a few years back. It is designed for use with weapons such as the the M2, illuminating out to over 800 yards. It’s also been used for IED detection. This unit is specific to the needs of the Department of the Navy and is technically the fourth variant. Variants II and III are being tested by other branches of the United States Military.
The VBL-III contract is valued at $14.9 million contract, fielding personal weapon lights for members of USSOCOM. The two light that were chosen feature LED lamps that provide both white and IR light. To choose one or the other the user simply pulls out and twists the head to switch between the modes. The RAID also features additional functionality as you can see on the photo.
For more info visit www.SureFire.com. other organizations who are interested in these lights visit www.adsinc.com/surefire.
