HWS – Small Arms Review https://smallarmsreview.com Explore the World of Small Arms Thu, 16 Feb 2023 21:41:35 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://smallarmsreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/cropped-online-sar-logo-red-32x32.png HWS – Small Arms Review https://smallarmsreview.com 32 32 Thales XTRAIM: A New Reflex Thermal Weapon Sight That Works With NODS https://smallarmsreview.com/thales-xtraim-a-new-reflex-thermal-weapon-sight-that-works-with-nods/ Thu, 16 Feb 2023 11:00:00 +0000 https://smallarmsreview.com/?p=39143 It looks like a standard reflex sight, but Thales’ new XTRAIM weapon sight has a couple of very cool tricks in store. First off, it is a reflex sight at heart. But instead of using a laser holograph (like an EoTech) for its reticle, it uses a projected digital reticle that’s configurable to show a dot, a circle, or any of about five other choices in its 30x24mm viewing window.

Second, the sight features a built-in thermal that presents a white-hot, black-hot, or outline image over the top of the direct-view image.

Lastly, the sight’s thermal superpowers are compatible with NODS through the clever use of a prism in the optic’s light path. So, for the first time, guys running night vision goggles have access to on-demand thermal fusion imaging by just raising their rifle optic up to their eyeline. Used this way with a set of panos, the operator maintains complete I² situational awareness without distraction and augments his detection capability with a thermal outline in thier rifle optic. Check out the video below to see how the thermal overlay looks.

The view through Thales’ XTRAIM using it’s thermal imaging overlay.

On the thermal side, the uncooled, NUCless IR sensor has a 12µm pitch, a resolution of 640×480 pixels, and runs at 60Hz, so there’s little lag, flicker, or dragging of moving subjects. The thermal overlay has two options, a traditional full thermal image or an outline mode, as shown above.

Examples of the XTRAIM display in several operating modes.

The unit is about the size of an old EoTech 512 and weighs 18.7 ounces. It runs on a set of two CR123 batteries that provide about seven hours of thermal operation and about 500 hours when powering only the direct view reticle. Fully hardened for battlefield use on carbines and light machine guns, the XTRAIM is also compatible with 3x magnifiers, a rail-mounted remote control, and offers a unique set of observational and targeting benefits for infantry, operators, and paramilitary/law enforcement units.

Unfortunately for civilians, Thales is only offering the XTRAIM to military and law enforcement at this time. If you’re interested, learn more at www.thalesgroup.com or reach out to solutions@thalesdsi.com.

Thales XTRAIM Features and Specs:

Direct View Optic:

  • Eye Relief 90mm @ 14º Thermal HOV, Fixed Diopter
  • Red Dot Reticle: 1.6 MOA
  • Magnification 1x
  • High Luminance OLED Display
  • 30x24mm Viewing Window
  • Runtime: 500 hours

Thermal Channel:

  • New Generation Sensor: 12µm pitch, 640×480 Resolution
  • 2x Digital Zoom
  • 14º Horz. Field of View
  • NUCless imager
  • 2 Display Modes: Continuous and Outline
  • Runtime: 7 hours
  • Weight: 18.7 ounces
  • Length: 6.7 inches
  • Power: 2x CR123
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