News | September 15, 2009

SpecterOS 4X Sight By ELCAN Selected For UK MoD FIST Programme

Source: ELCAN Optical Technologies

ELCAN Optical Technologies has been chosen by Thales UK's FIST Prime Contract Management Office (PCMO) as supplier of the Light Weight Day Sight for the UK MoD FIST soldier systems contract. Phase One of the contract is for 10,835 units of ELCAN's battle-proven Specter optical combat sight.

FIST is a UK MoD programme, established to enhance the capability of the dismounted infantry section, ensuring that the soldier of the future is equipped to meet changing requirements. Today's announcement is a culmination of a detailed examination of surveillance and target acquisition (STA) capabilities, marking the first increment of FIST to be approved for full-scale production. ELCAN's SpecterOS4X ( 4X power) optical sight was named as "best-in-class" for the STA system by Thales PCMO through open competition involving extensive field trials and independent processes.

Minister DE&S Quentin Davies says:

"The MoD is committed to equipping our frontline troops with the best equipment we can by using the latest technologies advances".

The first deliveries – sufficient to equip a Brigade – are planned for November 2010.

For minimal additional weight, the FIST STA system will significantly increase the close combat effectiveness of soldiers:

  • Reduction in engagement times
  • Improvement in detection and recognition ranges
  • Significant increase in first-round target hit probability
  • Major improvement in target location accuracy

According to Mr. Peter Cheshire, Business Development Manager, Weapon Sights for ELCAN Optical Technologies:

"ELCAN is extremely pleased and proud to be selected as the sole-source supplier of the Lightweight Day Sight for the FIST programme, one of the world's most advanced soldier modernization initiatives. Specter sights by ELCAN are regarded by professional soldiers as the premier combat sight, with unsurpassed ruggedness, accuracy and mission critical battlefield performance."

ELCAN is part of Raytheon Network Centric Systems. ELCAN has more than 1400 employees and operates in 500,000 square feet of manufacturing facilities in Midland Ontario, Richardson Texas and Málaga Spain.

SOURCE: ELCAN Optical Technologies