Encyclopaedic reference on infantry optics and thermal imaging categories. Public doctrinal information only: categories, role, operating principles, variants, distribution. No operational, zeroing, firing or maintenance instruction.
Role
Combat optics extend the shooter's identification and engagement capability. They are distinguished by magnification, reticle type, illumination and observation spectrum. Thermal imagers operate in the thermal infrared spectrum (LWIR, 8-14 µm) and display temperature differences, enabling identification in total darkness and through smoke, dust and visual camouflage.
Main categories
- Red dot (RDS): 1× magnification, reflex dot, rapid engagement 0-200 m
- LPVO (1-6×, 1-8×, 1-10×): polyvalent CQB-precision, FFP or SFP reticle
- ACOG / fixed prismatic 4×: traditional DMR, integrated BDC reticle
- DMR/sniper scope (3-15×, 5-25×): precision fire, MIL/MOA reticle, adjustable turrets
- PSO-1 / PO 3.5×17: standard post-Soviet optics, stadiametric reticle for range estimation
- Clip-on thermal: integrated in front of existing day optic
- Dedicated thermal scope: single thermal channel, Picatinny mount
- Handheld thermal monocular/binocular: ISR observation, not weapon-mounted
Main systems
| Category | Magnification | Era | Notes / Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red dot (RDS) | 1× — punto rosso | Anni '70+ | Aimpoint CompM4/M5, EOTech 512/EXPS3, Holosun 510C. Ingaggio rapido 0-200 m. |
| LPVO (Low Power Variable) | 1-6× / 1-8× / 1-10× | Anni 2000+ | Vortex Razor, NightForce ATACR, Trijicon VCOG. Polivalente CQB-DMR. |
| ACOG | 4× fisso o variabile | 1987 | Trijicon ACOG TA31/TA01, reticolo BDC, illuminato a fibra ottica + tritio. |
| DMR scope (FFP) | 3-15× / 5-25× | Anni 2000+ | Vortex Razor HD Gen II/III, Schmidt & Bender PMII. Tiro a 600-1200 m. |
| PSO-1 / PO 3.5×17 | 4×24 / 3.5×17 | 1963 / 1950s | Ottica standard SVD e altre piattaforme post-sovietiche, reticolo stadiometrico. |
| Magnifier flip-to-side | 3× / 5× | Anni 2000+ | Ingrandimento aggiuntivo per red dot, basculante per uso CQB/extended. |
| Termico clip-on | 1× — clip-on davanti ottica | Anni 2010+ | FLIR ThermoSight, Pulsar Krypton — applicato davanti a un'ottica diurna esistente. |
| Termico dedicato (scope) | Variabile — solo termico | Anni 2010+ | AGM Rattler, Pulsar Thermion, IRay Mate. Risoluzione 384×288 / 640×512. |
| Termico monoculare (handheld) | 1.5-6× — palmare | Anni 2010+ | Leica Calonox, Pulsar Helion XQ50, FLIR Scout TK. Ricognizione ISR a piedi. |
Thermal imagers — principles
Thermal sensors detect infrared emissions in the LWIR spectrum (8-14 µm), typically using amorphous-silicon or vanadium-oxide microbolometric sensors. Typical resolutions: 320×240 entry, 384×288 mid-range, 640×512 high-end military. NETD (Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference) of 30-50 mK on military systems. Thermal sees through smoke, haze, darkness and visual camouflage, but is vulnerable to glass, water and low-emissivity materials.
Distribution in Ukraine
Ukrainian units receive large quantities of Aimpoint, EOTech, Vortex, Trijicon, Steiner via Western aid, and FLIR, Pulsar, AGM thermals. Russian forces field PO 3.5×17, PSO-1, 1P78, 1PN138 Bachilo (thermal). Volunteers frequently buy commercial optics (Holosun, Vortex, Primary Arms) for personal use. Thermal imaging has become decisive for night engagements and counter-FPV, and has spread to irregular units thanks to the commercial market.
Advantages (doctrinal)
- Day optic extends practical effective range of the rifle
- BDC reticle allows rapid elevation correction
- Thermal eliminates visual camouflage and darkness
- Thermal identifies hot targets (operator, engine, FPV) at hundreds of metres
- NVG + thermal combination dominates the night
Limits (doctrinal)
- Day optic ineffective at night or in low light
- Thermal drains batteries rapidly, energy-dependent
- Thermal cannot see through glass or water
- High cost of military thermal systems (€5-25k per quality scope)
- Zeroing requires repetition on every mounting or battery change
Manual limits
This entry is encyclopaedic. It does not describe zeroing procedures, reticle adjustment, ballistic computation, tactical handling or maintenance. Those skills require specialist military range training.