#L-3CommunicationsCorps

The Australian Army announced that procurement will begin for a picatinny mounted laser range finder that will supplement also recently purchased ATPIAL AN/PEQ 16s at the squad level.   The Squad Range Finder (SFR) from L-3 Warrior Systems has visible and IR laser capabilities, IR illuminator, in addition to the laser range finder. Although it lacks a white light capability, it brings to table a compact range finder accurate out to 3,000 meters. Usually laser range finders are limited to sniper teams, SF groups, and forward observers but with the SRF, an individual rifleman will be able to find the range of anything in front of him. This is not only extremely useful for engaging a point target, but also for calling in fire missions, coordinating with adjacent units, planning attacks/patrols/defenses, etc… To my knowledge this is the first time any modern professional military has pushed a laser range finder capability down to the lowest level, the private on patrol.

Well that escalated! Hot on the heels of the U.S. Government suing EOTech for the alleged fraud in their sights, specifically in claiming that their sights could work in certain cold weather and humid environments, then trying to cover up this error in an upgrade, the parent company of EOTech, L-3 Communications, based out of New York has agreed to a payout of $25.6 million to the Government. We literally just reported on the lawsuit going through the the courts, and then this agreement has come up. It could be the end of the matter, or this could drag on with both sides negotiating some more. Along with the FBI’s HRT team switching over to Aimpoint sights, things don’t seem to be looking hot for EOTech right now on the federal government front. If you’re interested in reading the full court reading of the case, Soldier Systems has a good write up of the legal discussions.