Chapter 3, Part 2

CHAPTER 3
CURRENT NIGHT-FIGHTING EQUIPMENT CAPABILITIES (cont)

Chapter 3, Appendix A: Ground Commander's Pointer - Infrared

e. AN/TAS-5 DRAGON NIGHT SIGHT.

(1) Capabilities. The AN/TAS-5 is used as a night vision sight on the M47 Dragon. The night tracker senses heat from the target, and changes it into a picture that is displayed in the sight reticle. The tracker automatically guides the missile along the gunner's LOS by flight direction commands generated in the tracker which are transmitted to the missile through a guidance wire until the missile impacts. The device can see through smoke, zero illumination, and light foliage at distances over 1,000 meters.

(2) Characteristics.

(a) Weight: 22 lbs

(b) Range: 1,200m

(3) Limitations. The device is very heavy and awkward. It requires a separate rucksack to transport it on the battlefield. It is fragile and needs to be handled carefully, and is not conducive to airborne operations. When in operation, it gives off a humming and clicking noise that can be heard a short distance away.

(4) Considerations. Viewer penetrates all conditions of limited visibility and light foliage. The viewer takes up the whole rucksack upon deployment to the field; leaders need to ensure a good cross-load plan of equipment, batteries and coolant bottles. A mount, a dragon missile, tripod, or some type of expedient method must be used for sustained observation, as the device is too heavy to be held by hand for more than a few minutes.

f. AN/PAS-7A THERMAL VIEWER.

(1) Capabilities. The Viewer Infrared AN/PAS-7A provides a means of night-time observation by using only the ir radiation emitted by the object observed. The hand-held viewer is used for observation and target selection.

(2) Characteristics.

(a) Weight: 10.8 lbs

(b) Range: 1,000m

(3) Considerations. The viewer penetrates all conditions of limited visibility and light foliage. The viewer is extremely bulky; leaders need to ensure a good cross-load plan for equipment and batteries.

g. AN/PAQ-4A INFRARED AIMING LIGHT.

(1) Capabilities. The aiming light increases the accuracy of your fire at night. After it is properly installed and zeroed on your weapon, and turned ON, the aiming light sends out an invisible pulsating light beam along the line of sight out to 150 meters minimum against a man-sized target. The light beam can be seen with night vision goggles (NVG) such as the AN/PVS-5 or AN/PVS-7. While wearing your NVG, place the projected spot of light on the target and fire. The fired round should impact in the center of the spot of light on the target. The AN/PAQ-4A allows for target designation and serves as a leader's pointer. It has a grip-activating device that allows it to be turned on and off with the firer's hand never moving from the proper firing position.

(2) Characteristics.

(a) Easily mounted to the M16A2 and M60 machinegun.

(b) Lightweight: 198g (with battery).

(d) Can use in extreme cold.

(3) Limitations. The light can only be seen by those with NVG. It is only necessary to activate the aiming light a few seconds prior to firing. This reduces possibility of detection by the enemy. The beam does not penetrate smoke, foliage, or anything that a visible beam of light would not.

(4) Considerations. The aiming light does not interfere with the normal firing of the weapon, and when properly zeroed, provides quick-point ability that increases accuracy. Anyone with NVG can see the beam, so it is excellent for use as a pointer, designating fields of fire, or any other leader tasks where target designation is needed. An accurate zero can be obtained without firing any confirmation rounds using the ARI Dry Fire Zero.

h. AN/PAQ-4B and 4C INFRARED AIMING LIGHTS.

(1) Capabilities. The AN/PAQ-4B and 4C have similar characteristics to the AN/PAQ-4A. The aiming light is used in conjunction with NVG to direct weapon firing at night. The AN/PAQ-4B projects a pulsating ir beam along the weapon's line of fire designating the point of impact on the target. The AN/PAQ-4C projects a steady beam.

(2) Characteristics.

(a) Range: Beyond 600 meters. Range depends on light levels and night vision devices used for observation.

(b) Beam only visible with NVG.

(d) Cable switch capability for remote activation by the operator (operator does not have to move his hand to activate the aiming light).

(e) Weight: 164 grams.

(3) Considerations. Like the AN/PAQ-4A, these aiming lights do not interfere with the normal firing of the weapon, and when properly zeroed, provide quick-point ability that increases accuracy.

i. AN/UAS-12 TOW NIGHT SIGHT.

(1) Capabilities. The night sight enables the TOW operator to track targets in limited visibility. It runs off of a night-sight battery power conditioner or vehicle power. The Narrow Field of View or Wide Field of View may be selected depending on the target distance.

(2) Characteristics.

(a) Weight: 21 lbs

(b) Range: 3,750 meters

(d) FOV:

1 WFOV- 2.2 degrees or 144 meters at 3,750 meters

2 NFOV- 6.6 degrees or 431 meters at 3,750 meters

(3) Limitations. The night sight is very heavy; thus, it is usually transported in a vehicle (it is utilized by a TOW gunner). When in operation, the night sight makes a distinctive clicking sound and may be heard from a great distance. It is difficult to identify friend or foe with thermal sight at long range.

(4) Considerations. A closed cooler provides cooling of the night sight infrared detectors. The night sight adjusts to align with the day sight tracker. The thermal capability allows it to penetrate all conditions of limited visibility and light foliage.

j. Ground Commander's Pointer, GCP-1A.

(1) Capabilities. See Appendix A to Chapter 3. The GCP 1A is an ir pointer and illuminator. The ir light is invisible to the naked eye, but fully visible to NVG and other night vision devices. It is designed to provide clandestine target designation and illumination for night vision equipment users. The GCP ir light may be adjusted from a pencil beam, capable of pointing targets out to ranges of 5,000 meters. It may also be set on floodlight beam to illuminate targets at various ranges. The GCP is also eye safe.

(2) Characteristics.

(a) Can be mounted on weapons and zeroed.

(b) Weight: 128 grams.

(3) Considerations. The beam can be hand adjusted to the floodlight mode to illuminate large targets or select a more narrow spotlight beam to illuminate a face or torso for assault weapon aiming and firing. The leader can designate targets at a great length allowing weapon systems not organic to his unit to engage at a stand-off distance.

k. Phoenix Beacon.

(1) Capabilities. See Appendix B to Chapter 3. The Phoenix Beacon is the first pocket-sized programmable infrared (ir) beacon designed for individual combat identification (CID). It is invisible to the naked eye, but with night vision systems can be seen from 20 miles. It is perfect for clandestine marking and identification of individuals, airdrop bundles, vehicles, routes, and landing zones. The primary advantage of the Pheonix Beacon is the instant field encoding capability. Users can easily enter and change the flashing pattern emitted by the beacon. Any metallic object can be used to enter a unique code.

(2) Characteristics.

(a) Battery type: 9 volt/BA-3090 or equivalent

(b) Battery life: 5 to 320 hours (varies with code length)

(d) Weight: 2 ounces (including BA-3090 battery)

(3) Considerations.

(a) The Phoenix Beacon can be used during all combat situations. In company-size operations, use several to identify the front edge of friendly lines for close air support (CAS), use it to identify friendlies and prevent fratricide, use it to conduct linkups, or any other operation. The Phoenix Beacon is affordable, nearly indestructible, can be field-programmed without special equipment, is small, light-weight, rugged, and waterproof.

(b) The Phoenix Beacon is an economical item and can be purchased by small units without inflating their budgets. The following information is provided for the purchase of the Phoenix Beacon:

1 . Model: T-1604/U

2 . Unit price: $59.00

3 . Business: Night Vision Equipment Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 266
Emmaus, PA 18049-0266
POC: Gene Adcock
Phone: (610) 391-9101

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CHAPTER 3 CURRENT NIGHT-FIGHTING EQUIPMENT CAPABILITIES (cont)

CHAPTER 3
CURRENT NIGHT-FIGHTING EQUIPMENT CAPABILITIES (cont)