First seen on The Firearm Blog, Sig Sauer (Specifically SIG Sauer Electro-Optics) have been awarded a $77,168,400 contract to provide the US Army’s new Direct View Optic (DVO) which will be used on the M4A1 carbine and likely any remaining M16A4’s retained as DMR’s.
Army is looking to replace the venerable fixed power TA31 ACOGs (designated M150 RCO) that serve beside the Aimpoint CompM series CCO’s. The new DVOs will meld the capabilities of the RCO and CCO and add increased engagement envelope to the M4A1’s
The Marines selected the Trijicon VCOG 1-8x to top their H&K M27 rifles not long ago and this award to Sig Sauer by the Army signals a final shift in the large scale ground combat elements going to LPVO’s.
Along with the standard dimensional and operational environment capability requirements for heat, vibration, environment, durability, etc. The Army required the DVO to have a passive reticle with an ‘Army specified reticle pattern’ with free-floating windage and range adjustment marks/numbers (likely the M855A1) as well as an illuminated center aiming feature visible under all lighting conditions including total darkness.
The DVO had to be M1913 Picatinny rail compatible, mount an objective lens Laser Filter Unit that attaches to the objective lens end of the optic (one of the annoying honeycomb things, I believe), and have an optical sight box center line of 38.1 ±2.5mm [1.5 ±0.1 inches] from the top of the rail (inline with the current ACOG and Aimpoint heights). The optic had to be no longer than 10.5 inches and use AA, CR123 or CR2032 batteries if necessary.
Army may not have picked the SOT61233 specifically but it is the most likely candidate, it is the SOCOM S-VPO. Sig also may have submitted an unlisted variant instead of one of their commercial facing items.
I have been impressed and continue to be impressed by Sig’s high end optical line in both dots and variables. There will be another optical award to go along with the NGSW-R/AR selection in the next couple years but it is good to see that the rifles that will be sticking around while while the new weapons make their way in will continue modernization as well.
Now if only they’d put a decent sling on them and some QD points.
