It was excellent news that, at last, after a two year drought, that the Close Combat Symposium (CCS) returned live to Shrivenham and for live firing on the COTEC Range in early July.
CCS is an annual three day event, Day 1 is at the Defence Academy of the UK in Shrivenham and provides insight from Army HQ and other customers on their intent for the future. This is supplemented by presentations from academia and industry.
Day 2
Day 2 took place at Cranfield Defence and Security’s COTEC range facility on Salisbury Plain. This has involved live-firing demonstrations from industry as well as an opportunity to fire small arms from different manufacturers and with different optics and technologies including automatous vehicles.
Demonstrations were provided by:
FNH UK – the key sponsor
Smartshooter
Viking Arms
Qioptiq
Edgar Brothers
Rheinmetall Electronics
Defence Academy of the United Kingdom
LEI
Raytheon Elcan
Beechwood
GMK
UTM
Instro
FNH UK
FNH UK
FNH UK presented a family of weapons, all with a common Receiver, which the company is offering for Op Grayburn, the SA-80 replacement contract. The Editor fired the whole Range.
The weapons on display included, the SCAR Sub Compact (SC) carbine, the FN EVOLYS™ 7.62 Ultralight Machine Gun, and the FN SCAR®-H MK2 Assault Rifle (7.62X51MM NATO CAL)
FN SCAR®-H MK2 Assault Rifle (7.62X51MM NATO CAL)
The FN SCAR®-H Mk2 STD assault rifle is chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO calibre and is available with barrels of various lengths (13” or 16”) . These barrels are interchangeable in less than 5 minutes.
All FN SCAR®-H variants are proposed with:
* semi-auto only or selective fire capabilities
* reversible, reciprocating or non-reciprocating, curved cocking handle
* Picatinny type rails at the 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock positions
* wide range of add-ons fully tested and qualified by FN Herstal.
The FN SCAR®-H Mk2 assault rifle can be fitted with a 40mm FN40GL®-H Mk2 grenade launcher that quickly attaches to the lower rail of the rifle for additional firepower, and an FN® FCU Mk3 fire control unit that increases hit probability of 40mm grenades, night and day.
Key Benefits
* Tested and used by the most demanding combat units worldwide
* Semi-auto or semi-auto/full auto
* Various barrel lengths available (13? or 16?)
* Comes standard with a foldable, adjustable buttstock (concave butt plate) allowing 2-position cheek rest height adjustment and 6-position length adjustment
* Additional buttstock configurations available:
o Foldable, adjustable buttstock (convex butt plate)
o Fixed, adjustable buttstock (concave butt plate)
o Foldable, adjustable offset buttstock for use with visor helmet
o Telescopic buttstock
* Picatinny type rails at the 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock positions
* Flip-up mechanical sights
* High parts commonality and similar operator and armourer training throughout the FN SCAR® family resulting in minimized training time and maintenance costs
* Additional RFID tag and/or FN Smartcore® shot counter for improved small arms management
* FN® Expert available for basic marksmanship and tactical training
* A wide range of accessories and ammunition available
FN SCAR®-SC
The SCAR Sub Compact (SC) on display was fitted with the Aimpoint T2 with spacer (32mm). The SCAR H was fitted with the Zeiss 3x30i with FN reticle. As a complement to the renowned FN SCAR® assault rifles, grenade launcher and precision rifles, FN Herstal proposes the FN SCAR®-SC Subcompact Carbine in 5.56x45mm NATO or 7.62x35mm/.300 BLK calibre. Regardless of the calibre, the FN SCAR®-SC is extremely compact and comes standard with a standard telescopic buttstock allowing a 3-position length adjustment. A wide choice of additional buttstock configurations are available to best suit to user morphology and mission at hand.
The Editor found the FN SCAR®-SC easy to handle and it came up to the firing position easily and fitted snuggly giving added accuracy. With the addition of the Aimpoint T2 sight. The added accuracy and speed of fire is excellent giving the shooter a clear aim of the targets, pulling though using both eyes open. During a firing with Aimpoint with the Swedish Police, using the T2, the Editor found that nine rounds firing with both eyes open, was at least three seconds faster than using another sight which required one eye to be kept shut.
In May, the Editor travelled up to Lincolnshire to see the Aimpoint Acro™ Red Dot Sight put through its paces at the Hobson ballistic facility. Peter Hobson established the Lincolnshire firing range and test facility to allow him to develop and test advanced ballistics, ammunition and weapons along with sights and other systems in private without interference from ‘prying eyes.’
In May 2021, Aimpoint® released the next generation Acro™ red dot sights. This second-generation sight incorporates an improved LED emitter coupled with a higher capacity CR2032 battery to provide five years (50,000 hours) of constant-on power while getting you on target faster and more accurately. Designed to endure the physical forces generated by semi-automatic pistol slides, the Acro™ series was the first pistol sight to offer a fully enclosed optical channel to protect the LED emitter. Built to exceed the requirements of the users, the Acro series sights has been tested and proven to withstand the extreme shock, vibration, temperatures, and material stresses generated by firing over 20,000 rounds of .40 S&W ammunition.
All FN SCAR®-SC variants are proposed with:
* semi-auto only or selective fire capabilities
* Picatinny type rails at the 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock positions
* a wide range of add-ons fully tested and qualified by FN Herstal.
FN EVOLYS™ Machine Gun Range.
The strapline on the FN web site says that the FN EVOLYS™ fires like a machine gun and handles like a rifle. That description was spot on. The FN EVOLYS™ has an added extra of an anti-recoil absorption pad at the end of the buttstock which by its very description absorbs all the recoil and allows the shooter to keep the machine gun on target for better accuracy. This was the first time that the Editor had fired a machine gun from the standing position. The results were excellent with the lightness and modular design showing through on the handling of the weapon and ability to keep rounds on target during bursts of fire. The FN EVOLYS™ has been developed in two calibres, 5.56x45mm NATO and 7.62x51mm NATO.
FN EVOLYS™ 7.62 Ultralight Machine Gun
The brand new FN EVOLYS™ Ultralight Machine Gun combines the firing capabilities of a belt-fed machine gun with ergonomics and balance similar to an assault rifle, and complements the existing FN machine gun portfolio. The FN EVOLYS™ has been developed in two calibres, 5.56x45mm NATO and 7.62x51mm NATO. The FN EVOLYS™ 7.62, with a weight of approx. 6.2 kilos, is much lighter than current reference machine guns. The sight on the Evolys 7.62mm was the new Elcan Specter DR1.5-6x (7.62).
FN EVOLYS™ 5.56 Ultralight Machine Gun. The sight on the Evolys 5.56mm was another variant of the Elcan Range. The FN EVOLYS™ 5.56, with a weight of approx. 5.5 kilos, is much lighter than current reference machine guns.
Qioptiq
CCS Stalwart, Qioptiq once again showed a comprehensive range of products.
DRAGON-C Ultra-lightweight, Multi-purpose Thermal Weapon/Surveillance Sight
DRAGON-C (Compact) is an ultra-lightweight multi-purpose thermal weapon/surveillance sight that provides all round capability for the dismounted close combat user. DRAGON-C in it’s in-line configuration, can be integrated with a wide range of optical day sights in the range of x1 – x4 magnification. Light and dust shields can be provided to suit most common day sights. DRAGON-C is part of the DRAGON family of uncooled thermal products from DRAGON-C utilises the latest in uncooled thermal cameras, electronics and optical technologies to deliver world leading performance and reliability.
Rigidity – All Aluminium construction for structural rigidity and EMC sealing properties ensures good integration and compatibility with surrounding systems.
Stability – Boresight stability guaranteed through state of the art optical design and lens mounting techniques.
Simplicity – Controls have been designed and positioned for ease of access and MMI designed for ease of use across all 3 roles.
Functionality – Polarity, NUC, Auto/Manual settings, zoom, boresight, display brightness, image capture.
DRAGON-S Uncooled, In-Line, Thermal Weapon Sniper Sight
DRAGON-S (Sniper) In-line Thermal Sight is designed for use with a range of optical dayscopes and provides snipers with a 24-hr surveillance and target engagement capability. DRAGON-S is factory set to eliminate the need for re-zeroing when used in conjunction with the dayscope. A light seal is provided between the In-line Thermal Sight and the dayscope. DRAGON-S is part of the DRAGON family of uncooled thermal products that utilize the latest in uncooled thermal camera, electronics and optical technologies to deliver world leading performance and reliability.
DRAGON-S is designed specifically to meet target engagement and surveillance requirements for military customers and law enforcement agencies providing high performance within a lightweight, compact and rugged military qualified design.
DRAGON-S delivers a capability to detect man and vehicle targets 24 hours a day, even in poor visibility, in total darkness and through battlefield obscurants.
DRAGON-S can be fitted with a LO GLINT coating technology to reduce sunlight glint and reflection as an option.
Rigidity – All aluminum construction for structural rigidity and EMC sealing properties ensures good integration and compatibility with surrounding systems.
Stability – Boresight stability guaranteed through state of the art optical design and lens mounting techniques.
Simplicity – Controls have been designed and positioned for ease of access and MMI designed for ease of use across all roles.
Optional accessories: Remote Control, Interface Cable (external power, serial communications & video), Shrouds to interface with various dayscopes
TALON Fused Weapon Sight – Image Intensifier / Thermal Imager
TALON is a dual-channel optically Fused Weapon Sight product from Excelitas providing the dismounted close-combat user with an enhanced, multi-waveband detect / recognize / identify capability. TALON is a fully qualified military weapon sight specifically designed for short- and medium-range surveillance and target engagement.
Talon benefits include:
* TALON combines the latest Image Intensification and Uncooled Thermal Imaging capability in a compact and lightweight ruggedized package.
*TALON is fitted with a 12 micron, 60 Hz uncooled thermal sensor coupled with a near-silent shutter, delivering best-in-class sensitivity, uniformity and system latency in an ITAR free package.
*TALON accommodates alternative Image Intensifier tube options.
*TALON provides a low power architecture and is operated from just 2 commercially available Lithium AA batteries .
*TALON attaches to Picatinny or NATO accessory rails in front of the day sight via a quick-release throw lever, providing 24 hr capability without the need to remove or re-zero the day sight.
Beechwood
Beechwood displayed the Trijicon REAP-IR® mini thermal riflescope is a small, light, powerful thermal riflescope that lets you engage targets in any light.
It’s trusted by the most demanding shooters and hunters who require speed and accuracy for nighttime use. Choose from multiple magnification levels and fields of view to fit your specific needs.
New technologies include:
*Fully ruggedized, weatherproof, multi-directional thumbstick control with improved design for faster system response
*New USB-C connector allows the use of external battery packs and download of analog and digital video with available adapter with compatible DVRs
*Ruggedized, vertical design creates a slimmer look and is engineered for increased durability and solid battery connection
*New quick release mount featuring Trijicon® Q-LOC™ Technology provides multiple mounting locations with the ability to affix the scope rapidly and reliably in the dark
*User-selectable reticle choices include the classic crosshair, and new MRAD, MOA, .223 REM, .308 WIN, and 300BLK BDC
*640×480 thermal sensor which offers clear, crisp imagery through smoke, dust and complete darkness.
*12 micron technology. Smaller image sensors allow for reduced size and weight and increased durability.