Combining thermal imaging with traditional image intensification
British optic specialists Qioptiq, an Excelitas Technologies company, is demonstrating to visitors at this year’s show its latest TALON sight on stand 12-377. TALON is a clip-on fused device that combines thermal imaging with traditional image intensification.
A Qioptiq spokesperson told MONCh that several Special Operations Forces units were now using the sight, although he could not disclose which countries were users owing to confidentiality agreements. He added that at the moment Qioptiq were focusing on SF customers but it was also interested in supplying regular forces and law enforcement. The TALON sight incorporates a 12μm uncooled thermal imager along with a image intensified tube supplied by Photonis. The 650g fused device can support three modes including: thermal outline; thermal block; and thermal block and outline. Image intensified technology is still seen as important for night operations, particularly when it comes to seeing details that thermal vision obscures.
“That has been driven by the user community and it means they do not have to recalibrate their day sights,” said the spokesman.
This new dual channel optically fused weapon sight provides dismounted close combat users with an enhanced, multi-waveband detect (up to 1,000m), recognise (up to approx. 380m) and identify (up to approx. 170m) capability by combining the latest Image Intensifier (I2) and uncooled thermal imaging capabilities in a single lightweight, compact yet rugged package.
TALON is fitted with a 12 micrometre (μm), 60 Herz (Hz) uncooled thermal sensor coupled with a near silent shutter, delivering great sensitivity, uniformity and system latency in an ITAR free package. It is fitted with a 16mm 4G I2 tube from Photonis and a FLIR Systems longwave infrared (LWIR) thermal camera core.
With a field of view of 9.5×7.2in at a focal length of 23.12mm, TALON weighs 650g including the rail grabber lens cap and light security shroud. The sight runs on two AA lithium batteries.
It attaches to Picatinny or NATO accessory rails in fron of a day sight via a quick release throw lever, providing 24 hour capability without the need to remove or re-zero the day sight.
