INDUSTRY INTERVIEW: ELCAN Optical Technologies
Peter Cheshire
Global Sight System Product Manager
ELCAN Optical Technologies
Peter Cheshire is the ELCAN Global Sight System product manager. In 1987 Cheshire joined Leitz Canada (the founding company for ELCAN Optical Technologies) to oversee the design and development of the C79 optical sight, a sight that has become the standard infantry sight for many NATO forces. Over the past 19 years Cheshire has become one of the world’s foremost experts on man-portable sighting systems.
Q: Can you describe what ELCAN does?
A: ELCAN Optical Technologies has a tradition of optical excellence spanning over 157 years. The name ELCAN is an acronym for Ernst Leitz Canada and is part of the Raytheon Company. Over its history, ELCAN has set many benchmarks in the design and manufacture of sophisticated optical systems for industrial, commercial, military and aerospace applications. ELCAN is the world’s leading supplier of precision optical systems for both civilian and defense customers. ELCAN manufactures a wide diversity of other optical products for the U.S. Army such as the lenses for their thermal weapon sight, targeting optics for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle sights, and laser rangefinders for the M1A1 Abrams tank. Since designing the ELCAN optical sight for the Canadian Forces C9 [M249] machine gun, C7A1 [M16] rifle and C4 [M4] carbine, we have manufactured and fielded well over 175,000 of these rugged sights for use worldwide.
Q: What is the SpecterDR?
A: The latest optical combat sight by ELCAN is the SpecterDR, and it combines the best features of a red dot sight with the advantages of a telescopic sight in one housing. ELCAN developed SpecterDR to keep pace with constantly varying types of conflict and warfare missions. In terms of total weight, engagement speed and cost of carrying two riflescopes into battle, SpecterDR is a revolutionary improvement.
Q: What makes SpecterDR a unique military sight?
A: The sight is unique in having two fields of view. The first is a unity powered [1X] sight with a huge 26 degree field-of-view. This feature provides the shooter with a both eyes open close combat, extremely fast target acquisition sight. The second is a 4X-magnified sight with a field–of-view of 6.5 degrees. This mode provides the shooter with long-range target identification together with precision marksmanship capability out to 1000 meters by using the bullet drop compensation reticle. These two different fields-of-view in the one housing are easily and quickly interchanged by means of a lever mounted on the side of the optical housing. The ballistically compensated reticle is illuminated by means of a high-efficiency resonant cavity red LED. The LED illumination switch, when turned in one direction, provides five different illumination levels of a red dot aiming mark that attracts the eye to the precise point of impact. The opposite direction of rotation of the switch provides five levels of illumination of the whole reticle allowing dawn, dusk and even night shooting of the sight. Both of these LED settings have levels that are compatible with image-intensified night vision equipment. An additional feature of the SpecterDR is that the diameter of the red dot at 1X magnification is 6 MOA, ideal for close combat shooting, and reduces in size to 1.5 MOA in 4X magnification, allowing the longer range accuracy using the red dot by not covering the target.
Q: What is the advantage to the soldier?
A: The benefit of this new technology is that potential targets can be more accurately identified in the 4X mode. That allows the infantryman to approach an unknown building using the sight in 4X to closely ascertain and identify any potential threats. As the building is entered, the solider can instantly switch the sight to 1X for fast, close combat engagements. Once the building is safe and cleared the exit path can be examined in 4X to identify any further threats. Now soldiers can have the best of both worlds, 4X magnified for precision shooting and a 1X for close quarter battles. The infantryman is better prepared for different battle scenarios because of the inherent flexibility of the SpecterDR sight.
Q: Who is using the SpecterDR?
A: This Dual Role [DR] sight has been developed in close cooperation with the U.S. Navy Crane for their special forces SOPMOD kit, designated SU-230/PVS Articulated Telescope NSN 1240-01-533- 09039. The SpecterDR sight is in current production with a large order having been placed for the United States Special Forces, by Navy Crane. In addition, the sight has been purchased by the Special Forces in the U.K. and is being evaluated by the U.S. Army, Canadian, Dutch and Australian forces. ♦