Why is the laser sight for the M-16A2 so big?

[Aikibiker]

I guess the subject line says it all.

Why is the PEQ-2(?) laser that so many of our soldiers are using so big? We are living in an age of incredible technological advancement and miniaturization of electronics, yet this thing is frigging huge, it looks like half a brick attached to a rifle.

So any idea why this thing is so big? I understand that is has IR laser capabilities too, but is there anything else? how many batteries does this thing need? Can it do anything else? Designate targets for laser guided bombs?

So what's the deal?

 

[MitchSchaft]

Laser sight? You sure that's not night vision?

 

[444]

I don't know, but I believe this thing is much more intense than the lasers that we buy. I saw one made by Surefire that is about the same size as the one being used by the military. And it cost like $900. I don't know anything about it, but it was obviously much more sophistcated than a common laser for sale for use by us peons.

http://www.san.surefire.com/cgi-bin/main.pl?pgm=co_disp&func=displ&sesent=0,0&strfnbr=6&pgname=L75

 

[Destructo6]

I believe it's because there's an infrared laser on one side and a visible laser on the other. Each need to see around the front sight post.

It's good for designating targets...for your M4, but not for planes and such.

 

[Aikibiker]

Mitch,

No, the gadget I am talking about is mounted on top of the M-16A2 or M-4 right behind the front sight post. It is so wide it hangs out on either side of the sight one side is a visible laser and the other is I think an IR laser to use in conjunction with NVGs worn on the face. It is possible that it also has an IR flashlight as well.

Just watch one of the news channels until they show our front-line troops, then look for a cigar box looking thing on top of the barrel of an M-16. Just about all of the front-line troops have them, they seem to be in limited issue to guys behind the line though.

 

[MitchSchaft]

Oh!

 

[Jeff White]

It's either an AN/PAQ-4 or and AN/PEQ-2. The PAQ-4 is just an IR laser used with night vision goggles to aim the rifle.

The AN/PEQ-2 is both a visible and IR laser and has enough power to mark targets for certain fire support platforms. You'll find the PEQ-2 mostly in the hands of Special Operations Forces where almost every Infantryman will have a PAQ-4.

Military electronics are genreally bigger then their civilan equivalents because they are treated so rough. A large amout of the cube and weight is soldier proofing. Give a rifle squad a 1x1 foot cube of solid stainless steel and in 24 hours, they will have broken it, lost it or gotten it so dirty you won't recognize it

Jeff

 

[PsyWarrior]

Jeff, you forget that they will try to find a way to either cook with it or eat it too.....

Yes, it has both visible and IR lasers, one shooting down each side of the front sight post. And a lot of it is soldier proofing. You don't jump into ditches and climb over walls with your rifle, but they do.