The British Army has placed an order for up to 10,000 TALON Fused Weapon Sights to be integrated into its standard-issue rifles for enhanced accuracy and effectiveness in the dark.
According to the UK Ministry of Defence, the compact, ruggedized image intensifier will be mounted on the SA80 A3 and Hunter battle rifles, helping soldiers track and engage enemy forces in challenging lighting conditions.
The TALON sights feature the latest optical technology for precise detection, along with cutting-edge thermal imaging to detect adversaries through body heat.
With an enhanced detection range of up to 1 kilometer (0.6 miles), the weapon sights are expected to give British troops a tactical edge in the dark.
“The rifle night sights are tried and tested, proving highly effective to keep British soldiers protected in difficult environments,” Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard said.
The sights will be produced by North Wales-based Qioptiq as part of a seven-year, 120-million-pound ($152 million) contract.
‘Most Advanced Ever’
According to Excelitas, the parent company of Qioptiq, the TALON offers enhanced multi-waveband threat identification, making it ideal for both short- and medium-range surveillance and engagement.
The system includes an uncooled thermal sensor with a near-silent shutter, delivering “best-in-class” sensitivity and overall performance.
Despite its high-tech features, the TALON sight is powered by just two commercially available AA Lithium batteries.
The UK defense ministry has called the TALON the “most advanced sight” the British Army will have ever used, emphasizing the country’s investments in upgrading its defense capabilities.
“Rolling out this high-tech rifle sight shows how we’re investing in new tech for our soldiers to take the fight to our adversaries,” Pollard noted.
The first batch of TALON sights is expected to be operational across the army by 2025.