Alternative Calibres, Greater Ranges, Enhanced Capabilities
For the first time, Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) – an SK Group company – is showing the ACE Sniper SA rifle in 7.62x51mm calibre at FIDAE. But its main focus is on the ARAD rifle family. Based on the AR-15, versions of ARAD serve with Israeli SWAT units and Chile’s special forces, which use 5.56x45mm weapons with both 11 and 14.5in barrels. The notably lightweight ARAD is also available in .300BLK and the brand-new 7.2x51mm calibres.
The company is also showing the Masada SFP Slim pistol – small, light and optimised for concealed carry. Magazine capacity is 12+1 in 9x19mm calibre.
The Gal (Hebrew for ‘wave’) Versatile Protective Suit (VPS) is also on display. ‘Waves’ in the hard, flexible material can reduce impact trauma by up to 95-98%, depending on the protected area. The company states that protection is in line with VPAM3-5 and that the suit can be used in conjunction with ballistic plates. The suite weighs under 5kg, is extremely modular and adjustable. Interior air-flow channels help with cooling, even for extended periods of wear.
Camero – Wall-penetrating Surveillance at Greater Distances
Camero’s Xaver 100 (handheld) and Xaver 400 (compact) through-the-wall life detection and imaging systems are known and in service worldwide. The company is now presenting the Xaver LR40 and LR80 ong-range variants. To date, the Xaver 400 has enabled operational ranges of around 20m maximum between emitter and object. The LR40 now takes that to 60m and the LR80 doubles that, to 120m, even working from behind camouflage netting.
The LR80 was developed together with the Israel Defence Force (IDF) and is in use with them. The launch customer for the LR40 is a military force in Europe. Both systems are controlled through a Panasonic ToughPad, which can be up to 600m distance, as long as the sight angle is within about 10°. The lR40 (65×74.5×15.5cm) weighs 11.5kg, and the two internal batteries are good for 7 hours of running time. The recording capacity is 12 hours.
Unveiled at Milipol in Paris, FIDAE is the first showing of these system in the Americas.
Meprolight Thermal-Red Dot Combination
Meprolight – also part of the SK Group – is highlighting the MEPRO Tigon – also premiered in Paris. This is a hybrid sight, combining a red dot reflex reticle with a thermal imager in a very compact and cost-effective manner. It can be used as a normal red dot sight but, for night or indoor operations, a themal sensor can be used. There is even a mode to overlay both channels.
Two AA batteries offer thousands of hours endurance for the red dot, or up to six hours of thermal operation. The sensor can be used in combination with the MX3 3x magnifier. Reticle brightness can be set to automatic or manual, and the thermal sight has a built-in digital 2x magnifier. There is also a video-out channel with a cable adaption, and a Bluetooth or WiFi option could be available in future, as well as a control cable for attachment to the rifle, and a coloured thermal sight. The sight is to be used with standard assault rifles.
André Forkert in Santiago for MON
