The AN/PEQ-2 Infrared Target Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Light (ITPIAL) is a laser sight for use on rifles fitted with a Picatinny rail. It was manufactured by Insight Technology.[3]
| AN/PEQ-2 | |
|---|---|
AN/PEQ-2A Aiming Light mounted on an M4 carbine | |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| Used by | United States Armed Forces |
| Wars | War in Afghanistan, Iraq War |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Insight Technology |
| Variants | AN/PEQ-2, AN/PEQ-2A, AN/PEQ-2B, AN/PEQ-2C[1] |
| General Specifications | |
| Weight | 210 g (excluding batteries and mount) |
| IR Laser Specifications | |
| IR Laser Class | I, IIIb |
| IR Laser Output (mw) | 25 mW |
| IR Laser Divergence (mrad) | 0.3 mrad |
| IR Laser Wavelength (nm) | 830 nm |
| IR Illuminator Specifications | |
| IR Illuminator Class | IIIb |
| IR Illuminator Output (mw) | 30 mW |
| IR Illuminator Divergence (mrad) | 3 mrad to 10° |
| IR Illuminator Wavelength (nm) | 830 nm[2] |
History
editThe AN/PEQ-2 succeeded the AN/PAQ-4C, which was designed in the early 1990s after the Persian Gulf War.[4] It was widely used by US forces during the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War.[5][6][7]
The device is still seeing active service but is being withdrawn and replaced amongst U.S. Armed Forces. It was also part of the U.S. SOPMOD kit, though the device is being replaced by the new smaller LA-5/PEQ-15.[8]
Operation
editThe AN/PEQ-2 has two infrared laser emitters;one narrow beam used for aiming the rifle and one wide beam used for illuminating targets, like a flashlight.[9] The beams can only be seen through night vision goggles.[9] Each beam can be zeroed independently, and the illuminator's radius is adjustable. The two lasers are tied into one 6-mode switch, which has the following modes:
| Mode | Mode's Marking | Targeting laser | IR illuminator |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | OFF | off | off |
| 1 | AIM LO | low power | off |
| 2 | AIM HI | high power | off |
| 3 | ILLUM | off | on |
| 4 | DUAL LO | low power | low power |
| 5 | DUAL HI | high power | high power |
Turning the mode switch does not turn on the lasers. A recessed button on top of the device is tapped once to briefly turn on the lasers or tapped twice to turn the lasers on until deactivated, either by pressing a third time or by turning the mode switch to off. Additionally, an extra pressure switch can be plugged into the rear of the device and then placed virtually anywhere, limited only by the length of the pressure switch's cord; typically one to two feet. This pressure switch operates the same way as the recessed button.[10]
AN/PEQ-2A
editThe AN/PEQ-2A upgrade incorporates a blue removable safety block which physically prevents turning the mode switch to any of the high-power modes, which are capable of causing eye damage. Both variants are waterproof to a depth of 20 meters and run on two AA batteries.
| Mode | Mode's Marking | Targeting laser | IR illuminator |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | OFF | off | off |
| 1 | AIM LO | low power | off |
| 2 | DUAL LO | low power | low power |
| 3 | AIM HI | high power | off |
| 4 | DUAL LO/HI | low power | high power |
| 5 | DUAL HI | high power | high power |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "DEMIL Lasers and Sensors" (PDF). PS, The Preventive Maintenance Monthly (764). July 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
- ^ a b c "U.S. Military Infrared Target Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Laser, AN/PEQ-2 & 2A" (PDF). Defense Review. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- ^ a b Jane's Electro-optic Systems. Jane's Information Group. 2005. p. 264. ISBN 9780710626202.
- ^ a b "U.S. Military Infrared Aiming Light AN/PAQ-4C" (PDF). Defense Review. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 April 2010. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
- ^ a b Merrill, Dave (5 August 2022). "Invasion Rifle: The M16A2 Of Operation Iraqi Freedom". Recoil. Archived from the original on 9 August 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- ^ a b Eward, Kenneth (2012). US Marine Infantry Combat Uniforms and Equipment, 2000-2012 (PDF). Oxford: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1849087995. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 February 2019.
- ^ a b O'Brien, Kevin (9 August 2014). "Civilian-legal IR laser illuminator". Weapons Man. Archived from the original on 17 April 2019. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- ^ a b Pushies, Fred (15 November 2011). MARSOC: U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations Command. MBI Publishing Company. p. 101. ISBN 978-1-61059-750-0.
- ^ a b c Rottman, Gordon L (20 December 2011). The M16. Osprey Publishing. p. 66. ISBN 978-1-84908-891-6.
- ^ a b Halberstadt, Hans. Battle Rattle. Zenith Imprint. pp. 99–100. ISBN 978-1-61060-082-8.