Zeroing in on Owning the Night

Signal, May 2008

The U.S. Army is testing a new series of compact, lightweight laser aiming and illumination devices that can be carried on a soldier's weapon. The sight systems could be used to illuminate areas for tactical purposes or to enhance night-vision devices.

Testing of the devices currently underway at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, will ensure that the devices' design meets Army standards and will provide the service with an evaluation of the capabilities. Working closely with various test groups, including those from environment effects, electromagnetic effects and the White Sands Survivability/Vulnerability Analysis Directorate, engineers can determine the conditions and situations under which the devices can operate. Data collected during the tests will be used to improve features and correct problems.

"You know the phrase, 'We own the night?' Well, that starts here," says Mike Williams, engineering technician with the Army's Unmanned Vehicle/Soldier Branch of the White Sands Material Test Directorate's Future Force division, the branch developing the technology.