At the showcase of the Counter Terror Expo 2011, Qioptiq, a photonics company, exhibited its VIPIR and Dragon thermal imaging as well as the KITE, Merlin and Nighthawk image intensified night vision equipment. Amongst the products on show was the DRAGON Compact (C), winner of the “Best Lightweight Soldier Technology” award at the Soldier Technology Conference in London.

DRAGON C is a lightweight, multi-use thermal weapon/observation sight intended for Dismounted Close Combat & Special Forces users. It is primarily designed to be used as an in line “Clip On” thermal weapon sight, allowing the user to retain his existing day sight on the weapon. The design has been optimised to work with a number of optical day sights from international manufacturers and can also be used as a stand alone or hand held lightweight thermal weapon sight. DRAGON C has been developed to deliver a system capable of retaining boresight even when subjected to the harsh shock impacts produced by modern 5.56, 7.62 and 8.39 mm rifles, for single shot, semi and full automatic firing modes.

Also on show was the DRAGON Long Range (LR) Thermal Weapon Sight, which is primarily aimed at section level & heavy support weapons looking to operate out past the 2km range mark. [www.qioptiq.com]