Aimpoint BR8 Fire Control System (FCS) for Tactical Small Arms and Light Weapons

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By David Crane
defrev at gmail dot com

We here at DefenseReview are big fans of Aimpoint products, particularly the CompM2 – M68/CCO (Close Combat Optic), CompM4 and Micro T-1 red dot combat sights, and the 3XMag magnifying optic. Aimpoint combat optics (optical sights) are combat proven and highly trusted by professional trigger pullers the world over, and for good reason. As the aforementioned products have demonstrated, the company isn’t content to rest on its laurels, but rather is constantly innovating and developing new products that can assist the warfighter, LE professional, and civilian shooter.

That’s why when Aimpoint’s president, Lennart Ljungfelt, presented the Aimpoint BR8 Fire Control System (FCS) for infantry small arms and light weapons on May 22, 2008 during the Fire Control session at NDIA International Infantry & Joint Services Small Arms Systems Symposium 2008, it wasn’t much of a surprise to Defense Review. Actually, DefRev missed Mr. Ljungfelt’s lecture, but that doesn’t mean we can’t report on it. So, what’s the BR8 FCS’ purpose and how does it work?

The Aimpoint BR8 FCS is a…

fully integrated sight and fire control system, meaning it’s basically a computerized combat optic that provides the warfighter with an instantaneously-compensated precision-aiming solution to allow him hit targets with various lethal munitions out to 600 meters (600m) in dynamic combat/warfare enviornments, including urban warfare/MOUT environments. Put another way, the BR8 provides instant aiming/targeting correction in order to compensate for projectile drop out to 600m, greatly enhancing first-shot hit/kill probability. A warfighter can use a BR8 to hit the target first time every time with low-impulse/low-velocity 40mm (40x46mm) grenades, high-impulse/high-velocity 40mm (40x53mm) grenades, and shoulder-launched projectiles (like 84mm Carl-Gustaf recoilless rifle rounds, for instance).

So, how does it work in practical application? While looking through the site, find your target. Then, aim at your target (by puting the solid red dot on it) and measure the range. A secondary blinking/flashing red dot will appear beneath the initial solid red dot. This blinking red dot is the new, corrected aiming point. So, now just superelevate the weapon until the lower blinking red dot is on the target, and fire. The target should go away.

Present prototype Aimpoint BR8 Fire Control System (FCS) features/specs (from NDIA presentation documents):

– 1x optical magnification

– 2MOA dot for aiming and laze (lasing the target)
– Large field of view (20 degrees)
– Unlimited eye relief

– High contrast in display
– All information in display
– 1.2 kilograms (kg)

– 600-meter (600m) measurement distance

– Mil-Std-1913 "Picatinny" rail interface

– Rechargeable internal battery

– AA-size back-up battery

User benefits:

– Super situational awareness

– Accurate when ranging
– Fastest target acquisition (i.e. first shot/first kill capability)

– User-friendly and reliable

– Dawn and dusk capability
– No moving parts
– Compatible with all generations of NVGs/NODs
– Capability to program ammunition
– Long battery life
– Dramatic increase in P-Hit

– Increased lethality [a.k.a. enhanced lethality] to the enemy and increased survivability [a.k.a. enhanced lethality] to own troops

– Reduced training time and costs

According to the NDIA presentation document, when Aimpoint demonstrated a prototype BR8 to NATO forces in Toledo (Spain or Ohio?) on February 15, 2007 (02/15/07), they achieved >65% P-Hit on 1.2×1.2mm targets at ranges from 100 to 250 meters.

The Aimpoint BR8 FCS recently won "Best New Soldier Modernization Product" at the Soldier Technology Global Awards 2008.

Aimpoint is presently working on reducing the BR8’s size and weight. Time will tell just how light and compact they can make it. DefenseReview hopes Aimpoint can cut the BR8’s size by and weight by at least 50%. If they can get the weight all the way down to approx. .5 lbs, then they’d really be in business. However, even at the BR8’s current size and weight, it’s a very cool piece of tactical hardware.


Aimpoint’s NDIA Small Arms Systems Symposium 2008 presentation on the BR8 FCS:

Aimpoint BR8: A Fire Control System for Small Arms (PDF Document)


NDIA Small Arms Systems Symposium 2007 presentation that contain information on the BR8 FCS:

Swedish Fire Control System Development


Company Contact Info:

Aimpoint Inc.
14103 Mariah Court
Chantilly, VA 20151-2113
Phone: 703-263-9795
Toll Free: 877- 246-7646 (877-Aimpoint)
Fax: 703-263-9463
E-mail: info@aimpoint.com
Homepage: www.aimpoint.com

Aimpoint AB
Jägershillgatan 15
SE-213 75 Malmö
Sweden
Phone: +46 40 671 50 20
Fax: +46 40 21 92 38
E-mail: info@aimpoint.se
Homepage: www.aimpoint.se

Aimpoint BR8 Fire Control System (FCS) for Tactical Small Arms and Light Weapons by

About David Crane

David Crane started publishing online in 2001. Since that time, governments, military organizations, Special Operators (i.e. professional trigger pullers), agencies, and civilian tactical shooters the world over have come to depend on Defense Review as the authoritative source of news and information on "the latest and greatest" in the field of military defense and tactical technology and hardware, including tactical firearms, ammunition, equipment, gear, and training.

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