Electronic Weapons: Super Binoculars

Archives

May 9, 2013: The U.S. Army is spending $16 million to get a new hand-held, binocular-like device (TLDS or Target Location Designation System) that combines day/night digital viewer, with zoom and a laser range finder, and target designating laser. The TLDS takes several separate bits of equipment and combines them into one unit. In addition, a small computer is built in that takes care of identifying the user and passing target information onto artillery and air units. This makes it easy for the fire controller on the ground to identify and locate a target and get artillery or missiles on the target quickly. Speed is often crucial in combat situations and it does wonders for troop morale when they know that TLDS will get it done quickly and accurately.

Current systems for doing all this are heavy, bulky, and do not mesh easily with digital communications systems. Because electronics keep getting smaller and more powerful, the army has to hustle to take advantage of new technology before it is superseded by demonstrably superior stuff. Despite years of cuts in the army budget, something like TLDS is seen as essential new tech for battlefield success.

   
 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contribute. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   contribute   Close