Talon II dual-channel fused weapon sight. (Qioptiq)
Further details of the status of the British Army's procurement of 10,000 in-line optical sights were revealed in an announcement by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 18 November 2024.
Janes learnt that the now signed GBP120 million (USD152 million) contract for the sights between the MoD and UK-based Qioptiq is for the new Talon II dual-channel optically fused weapon sight.
The procurement focused on delivering enhanced night-fighting capabilities to infantry units of the British Army. The system is intended to provide dismounted close combat users a multiwaveband in-line optic for night-time operations.
The in-line sight is compatible with a wide variety of small-arms and optic systems, specifically the SA80 family of rifles (Elcan Specter OS sight) and Knights Armament Company KS-1/ L403A1 (Vortex Razor HD sight), which was adopted as part of the ‘Project Hunter' Alternative Individual Weapon (AIW) system. The sight is secured to the topside NATO standard accessory rail immediately forward of the weapon's main optical sight.
The Talon II fused weapon sight is powered by two AA batteries with a six-hour battery life, or can be connected to an external battery source. When operational, the ‘thermal' imaging mode can detect a man-sized target at up to 1,000 m and identify a target at 250 m. The ‘starlight' imaging mode gives the operator the ability to detect (in white or green) a man-sized target at up 1,300 m and identify a target at 300 m. The system is also capable of detecting vehicle-sized targets in excess of 2,000 m in ‘thermal' and ‘starlight' imaging modes, the company said.
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