Battle sights: the use of small arms in modern military operations is characterised by the need to observe and accurately engage targets in complex situations. Soldiers using optical sights have the advantage of being able to rapidly acquire and engage targets at longer ranges and under poor lighting conditions.

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Infantry Weapons

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Battle sights: the use of small arms in modern military operations is characterised by the need to observe and accurately engage targets in complex situations. Soldiers using optical sights have the advantage of being able to rapidly acquire and engage targets at longer ranges and under poor lighting conditions.

In the early 1970s the British Army decided to mount optical sights on the standard 7.62 mm L1A1 Self-Loading Rifles of soldiers deployed on internal security duties in Northern Ireland. Like most assault rifles developed during the early decades of the Cold War, such as the Soviet AK-47 and the US M14, the Self-Loading Rifle was designed to deliver a high volume of fire at comparatively short ranges and was fitted with simple iron sights. It quickly became apparent in Northern Ireland that soldiers involved in an internal security operation had to be able to clearly distinguish terrorists from civilians, especially in a crowded urban environment, and then accurately engage targets without causing collateral damage. The Sight, Unit, Infantry, Trilux (Suit), which pr...

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