Infantry Troops to Receive Upgraded Fighting Capability at Night

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The Bundeswehr will acquire laser light modules for the German armed forces. The devices manufactured by Rheinmetall can be mounted via a standard interface onto all assault rifles, submachine guns, machine guns and sniper rifles currently in the Bundeswehr inventory, so they are expected to improve the ability of German troops to fight at night. 

A corresponding framework contract has now been signed, which envisages delivery of up to 130,000 laser light modules. To begin with, 2,460 devices worth a total of €3 million will be delivered. The framework contract is initially set to run for seven years. Delivery will begin this year. 

The device selected is a version of Rheinmetall’s latest-generation LLM-VarioRay laser light module. Intended primarily for small arms carried by infantry and other soldiers who fight on foot, it is used for detecting, identifying and marking targets.

Weighing around 250 grams including the bracket, the LLM-VarioRay can be mounted on any assault rifle with a MIL-STD 1913 rail/STANAG 4694 and operated via a trigger cable. It features a powerful white lamp, a red-light laser marker, an infrared laser marker and an electrically focusable infrared illuminator. The light source can be selected with a rotary switch and is infinitely adjustable. 

Together with night observation and thermal imaging devices, the device lets German troops perform a full range of operational missions around the clock and in all weathers.

Among other things, the LLM-VarioRay product family forms part of the German soldier system “Future Soldier – Expanded System” (IdZ-ES). It is also in service with the British and Swiss armed forces, according to the company’s announcement.