[SHOT 2024] Hands on With the THALES XTRAIM Hybrid Thermal Weapon Sight
![[SHOT 2024] Hands on With the THALES XTRAIM Hybrid Thermal Weapon Sight](https://cdn-fastly.thefirearmblog.com/media/2024/05/16/14526157/shot-2024-hands-on-with-the-thales-xtraim-hybrid-thermal-weapon-sight.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1)
SHOT Show 2024 saw the debut of the THALES XTRAIM Hybrid Thermal Weapon Sight. Optimized for rifles and light machine guns (LMGs), the XTRAIM provides a decisive operational advantage by enabling advanced target acquisition in any light condition.
The XTRAIM Hybrid Thermal Weapon Sight stands out because of its hybrid thermal mode using a 40×512 micron thermal imager. Uniquely, the sight’s capabilities allow for ‘decamouflaging’ of targets, effectively setting them apart from their surroundings to improve target acquisition during both day and night operations. A unique attribute of this optic is its direct view mechanism, which remains usable while operating even with night vision goggles, demonstrating unique I²/IR fusion.
The Xtraim features an adaptive reticle that can accommodate any weapon and ammunition combination, with reticle size ranging from 1.2 to 3.6 MOA. It conveniently runs on 2x CR123 batteries, guaranteeing approximately seven hours of operation in hybrid mode or 500 hours solely with the reflex sight. Eye relief is set at 90mm.
Here's a promotional video from Thales explaining the XTRAIM's features:
Thales has managed to optimize the weight and size of the XTRAIM, keeping it under 530g and 170mm in length. This impressive compact dimension paired with a strategically balanced center of gravity, sets it apart significantly from comparable thermal sights in the market.
Christophe Salomon, Executive Vice President, Land and Air Systems said, “The outstanding optical, electronic and mechanical expertise of the teams from Saint-Héand, Thales’s global center of excellence for soldier optronics, has made it possible to design and develop a solution with our customers, for our customers, that offers the best operational capabilities available today. XTRAIM is nothing short of a revolution for the armed forces.”
Specs summary:
– Powered by 2x CR123 batteries, 7 hours in hybrid mode or 500 hours with just the reflex sight
– Eye Relief 90mm, Red dot reticle size 1.6MOA
– Optimized Weight and Size
– Weight < 530g (Thales claim >2x less than other comparable thermal sights on the market)
– Length < 170mm
– Optimized volume and center of gravity.
Find out more about the XTRAIM here.
Managing Editor: TheFirearmBlog.com & Overt Defense.com. Matt is a British historian specialising in small arms development and military history. He has written several books and for a variety of publications in both the US and UK. Matt is also runs The Armourer's Bench, a video series on historically significant small arms. Here on TFB he covers product and current military small arms news. Reach Matt at: matt@thefirearmblog.com
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Thales has no intent to sell these to non-law enforcement and non-military customers, so there’s that “MP7” flavor of their corporate marketing on this.
The XTRAIM projects only in OUTLINE mode on the thermal overlay. Ostensibly, that’s the most practical presentation and use if you had to choose only one display mode. For those desiring a full thermal mode, however, this product attribute is good to know for managing expectations.
In a month or so, Holosun will be releasing on the commercial market their DRS, which has the thermal sensor *above* the viewing window with electronic reticle options. This will facilitate use *behind* some scopes among other things. Pricing is very reasonable at $1,599.
Right now, at the show, Holosun is displaying their DPS-TH, which features a mobile thermal sensor that wirelessly transmits the thermal overlay to the MRDS module. This is the way of the future.
You’ll soon see lightweight, everyday eyewear with compact, thermal overlay clip-ons receiving transmission from wireless, mobile, remote, thermal sensors plus micro PIP and other insets for VTC and navigational data — at consumer affordable prices.
Holoson is very smart in how they approach the resolution game for thermal imaging on the DRS and DPS — by interpolating from a modest resolution micrometer with good capture rate to a high resolution projection. This is a technique that Insight used with their MTM more than a decade ago for excellent results, except it was an OLED display versus LED projection.
How high is this thing? Just wondering what sort of a mount will be needed to put a magnifier behind it.