Your Privacy Choices
The Swiss Army has placed an order for almost 10,000 VarioRay LLM laser lights from Rheinmetall.
The Swiss Army calls the laser light LLM 19 and it will be used on the Swiss soldiers’ assault rifles, as part of Germany’s Future Soldier System-Extended System (IdZ-ES) when used by the German Army. In fact, the British Army also employs the system, under the name Laser Light Module MK3.
The delivery will be taken care of by Rheinmetall Air Defence AG, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of state-of-the-art air defence and antiaircraft systems – and lasers of course!
According to Rheinmetall, there are five main scenarios to use devices like the VarioRay: Close Quarter Battle (CQB), low light or no light scenarios, target marking for close air support, crowd and riot control or target acquisition.
Below you can read the Press Release:
Rheinmetall to supply the Swiss Army with VarioRay LLM laser light modules.
As part of its 2019 defence procurement programme, the Swiss Army recently placed an order with Rheinmetall for the VarioRay LLM laser light module.
A contract to this effect was signed in December 2019 with Switzerland’s Federal Office for Defence Procurement (Armasuisse).
Delivery of 9,640 devices is set to commence in May 2020 and be complete by the end of 2022. The order is worth a figure in the lower two-digit euro million range.
It also includes accessories, spare parts and training support. Rheinmetall Air Defence AG is the general contractor for the project; Rheinmetall Soldier Electronics GmbH is the manufacturer.
Used for detecting, identifying and marking targets, the laser light modules – known as the LLM 19 in Swiss military parlance – will be mounted on soldiers’ assault rifles. Weighing approximately 240 grams, the VarioRay LLM can be mounted on a MIL-STD 1913 rail on any assault rifle, and operated via a trigger cable. Together with the night vision and thermal imaging devices also acquired under the 2019 defence procurement programme, it will enable Swiss troops to perform their missions around the clock and in all weather conditions.
Among other things, the VarioRay LLM forms part of Germany’s Future Soldier System-Extended System, or IdZ-ES, used by the Bundeswehr. The British Army, which calls it the Laser Light Module MK3, also employs the system. As it happens, Rheinmetall-made aiming lasers are already in service with the Swiss Army. In 1996 Rheinmetall supplied the Swiss military with the REM096 laser marker. In winning the latest order, Rheinmetall has thus succeeded in keeping the Swiss Army as an important customer for its laser light technology.
Rheinmetall offers an extensive portfolio of infantry equipment, including numerous aiming and illumination modules. These were developed in order to enhance the tactical effectiveness of small arms. Among the most recent products is the Variable Tactical Aiming Laser (VTAL) module. This aiming and illumination module is compatible with all standard night vision devices and can be coupled with the separate modular Lumenator weapon lamp, also made by Rheinmetall. Another top-of-the-line Rheinmetall product is Tac-Ray Ballistic, a rangefinder/ballistic computer for snipers.
Here is the product description LLM-Vario-Ray:
The laser light modules enable the exact target acquisition and marking by means of different light sources. At dusk or in complete darkness, soldiers equipped with night vision goggles can use infrared near-field illumination to illuminate their surroundings and targets.
With the infrared target laser, targets can also be marked over long distances. The laser markers facilitate the intuitive use of the weapon without a visor. Since the laser light modules are equipped with special adapter systems, they can be quickly mounted on any weapon without tools.
All modules are waterproof up to 30 m and can be operated with a remote control cable.
The Vario-Ray has a tactical light, a red and IR laser target marker and an electronically focusable IR laser illuminator.
Options include a SWIR laser, a green laser, a wireless remote control and a friend and foe detection interrogator (ZEFF).
Source: Rheinmetall Defence
Interested in similar news? Try Bundeswehr Purchases Rheinmetall Laser/Light Modules For Special Forces.
