Rifle Sight
Which Models Of Red Dot Sight Are Used By US Forces?
The US military took a long time to adopt optical sights as standard on their rifles, following a trend set by Austria in the mid 1970s with their Steyr AUG and its 1.5x carrying handle optic. Since 911, many units from Division level downward have purchased these sights in considerable numbers as have individual servicemen and women – this has lead to confusion as to which red dot sights have been officially type classified.
SOCOM lead the way by adopting both the Trijicon reflex sight and an Aimpoint CompM2 red dot sight variant- the ECOS-N – both being replaced in turn by the Eotech SU231/PEQ (see below).
The Swedish Aimpoint CompM2 was the first reflex sight adopted as standard issue by the US Army and USAF as the M68 CCO. This unit is still in service but is being replaced by the CompM4s (low battery housing model of the CompM4), confusingly also called the M68 CCO. Some CompM4 sights with the original high battery housing are also in service but it is not clear whether these were centrally, unit or individually purchased.. Aimpoint’s tiny T-1 red dot sight is now being issued to units deploying to theatre along with the 3X flip to side magnifier, providing a combination that can cover a spectrum of engagement ranges.
The US Army M145 is a variant of the Canadian Elcan, a rubber armored 3.4×28 scope, called the ELCM145C by the manufacturer. The US Army version uses internal adjustments and a 1200 meter calibrated reticle rather than the problematic external adjuster on the original version. There is a version with an 800 meter reticle for the M4 carbine, but this is not often seen on US military carbines The Block II SOPMOD kit now includes the Elcan SpecterDR; a sight which flips from 1X to 4X and is designated the SU230/PVS Articulated Telescope. The SU-230/PVS has seen service in Iraq and Afghanistan with SOCOM and is replacing the SU-237 ACOG. For short range engagements the SU-230 also mounts a small red dot sight which can serve as a backup.
SOCOM adopted a version of the Eotech Holographic Weapon Sight – the 553 – to replace the original Aimpoint ECOS-N and Trijicon reflex sight on the BlockII version of the M4 SOPMOD kit. The military designate this model the SU-231/PEQ (Model 553). It is powered by CR123 batteries and secured to the Mil Std 1913 rail by twin ARMS throw lever mounts. SOCOM insisted on a 66ft depth rating for this unit. Many Eotechs have been privately purchased or adopted by units such as the 1st Stryker Brigade, 3rd Infantry and 10th Mountain Divisions and USMC Force Recon. These tend to be 552 series AA battery models such as the 552.A65 and 552.XR308. A prestigious $6.6M competition was recently won by Eotech to supply it’s Enhanced Combat Optical Gunsight – Heavy for mounting on SOCOM’s support weapons – especially those on surface craft.
SOCOM had adopted the Trijicon ACOG at the start of the 21st Century for their SOPMOD kit – this model bears the manufacturer Model TA01NSN. This model came with a peep and post back up sight which was replaced in 2006/7 by a top mounted red dot sight – this model being referred to by the manufacturer as the TA01NSN-RMR and by the military as the SU-237.
Early in the GWoT it became obvious that iron sights were putting Marines at a serious handicap. The USMC decided to rush the Trijicon TA31 ACOG into service as a ‘designated marksman’s’ magnifying sight. This was so successful that the USMC decided to go to universal issue with two ACOG versions. Eotech designate these the TA31RCO-A4CP (military designation AN/PVQ-31A) and the TA31RCO-M4CP (military designation AN/PVQ-31B) for the M16A4 rifle and M4 carbine respectively. The US Army followed by adopting its own version of the TA31 for use on its M16A4 rifles, the TA31RCO-M150CP, opting for a 300 meter parallax setting and designating it the M150. The USMC did not adopt the M145 for their SAWs and M27s, instead recently purchasing another ACOG, this time a 3.5x model as their Squad Day Optic. This version also features a top mounted RMR red dot sight. The Marines also adopted a 6x ACOG designated the Medium Day Sight for use on their M240s.
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