Forward observer gear gets target right: the ever-present need to engage targets on the so-called 24-hour battlefield is the major driver behind the growth of the forward observer system market. Not only must today's forward observer be able to detect targets in all weathers and during the day or night, but they must report the position of these targets to artillery units, other troops or aircraft.

Summary

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Infantry: optics

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Forward observer gear gets target right: the ever-present need to engage targets on the so-called 24-hour battlefield is the major driver behind the growth of the forward observer system market. Not only must today's forward observer be able to detect targets in all weathers and during the day or night, but they must report the position of these targets to artillery units, other troops or aircraft.

Many of the systems surveyed below have modems and communication links integral to their design, which allows the observer to transmit data across battlefield information systems, significantly reducing the risk that the co-ordinates are misheard in the cacophony of battle.

A myriad of systems offering comprehensive capabilities are available on the international market, two of which, the Jim-LR (see title picture above) and Jim-MR are produced by Sagem Defense Securite of France. The Jim-LR weighs around 2.8 kg and, d...

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