AN/PAS-13

Edit links
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
AN/PAS-13C Thermal Weapon Sight
AN/PAS-13 Light Weapon Thermal Sight (LWTS)
TypeScope and camera
Place of originUnited States
CategoryMilitary
Production history
DesignerRaytheon
ManufacturerRaytheon
Produced1998
No. built33,400
VariantsLight, Medium and Heavy
Specifications
WeightMedium: 5 pounds (2.3 kg)
Heavy: 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg)
Dimensions (L×H×W)Medium: 15.8x6.3x6.3 inches
Heavy: 18.11x6.3x6.3 inches
Cont Operation (h)7 hours
Field of vision (°)Medium
Wide: 18x10.8 degrees
Narrow 6x3.6 degrees
Heavy
Wide: 9x5.4 degrees
Narrow: 3x1.8degrees
Range of detectionMedium
Detect Human: 1.2km
Detect Vehicle: 4.2km
Heavy
Detect Human: 2.8km
Detect Vehicle: 6.9km
System zoomMedium 5x
Heavy 10x

The AN/PAS-13B Thermal Weapon Sight (TWS) is an infrared sight developed for the United States military by

U.S. Army in 1998 and has reached a total production of 33,400 units.[1]

Design and features

The view through an AN/PAS-13 sight.

Due to the use of thermal imaging, the AN/PAS-13B does not require low levels of light to operate, and it will not shut off like most night vision if hit directly by light. The

GAU-21. The sight also has a multi-function I/O port, allowing for video to be recorded or viewed from a location other than the eyepiece. When using the eyepiece, the rubber cup surrounding the eyepiece must be depressed slightly to engage the display and cooling mechanism. The image displayed for the user is black and white. The user has the ability to select whether white or black will represent hotter objects by selecting "black hot" or "white hot". AN/PAS-13Bs are powered by standard military disposable or rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.[2]

New versions

AR-15
with a brass catcher

In November 2006, three new versions of the AN/PAS-13 were ordered by the U.S. military. The Thermal Weapon Sights II include three new versions, a Light, Medium, and Heavy. All three models weigh less than the originals, weighing 1.8 lbs, 2.8 lbs, and 3.9 lbs respectively. This reduction in weight and size is due to improvements in the sensors, as well as the ability to now run the sights without being cooled. The Medium and Heavy models maintain zooms of 5× and 10×, while the Light model has a zoom of 1.55× and a FOV of 15 degrees. All three models now run on lithium AA batteries, with the Light having a battery life of 5 hours, the Medium 6.5, and the Heavy 6.5.[3] The US Armed Forces designates version 2 as MTWS (Medium Thermal Weapon Sight), and version 3 as HTWS (Heavy Thermal Weapon Sight).[4]

A new variation, the AN/PAS-13G LWTS model, is much smaller and compact making it easier to use on the M16/M4 family of rifles. It is also designed to be used with the ACOG, and M68 Close Combat Optic.[5]

References

  1. ^ "AN/PAS-13 LTWS / AN/PAS-13C". Deagel.com. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  2. ^ "AN/PAS-13B Thermal Weapon Sight (TWS)" (PDF). Raytheon. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-07-05. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  3. ^ "PAS-13 Thermal Weapon Sights On Order". Defense Industry Daily. 2009-03-29.
  4. ^ "FM 3-22.9". Global Security. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
  5. ^ http://www.insighttechnology.com/13-products/light-weapon-thermal-sight-lwts[permanent dead link]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=AN/PAS-13&oldid=1210315131"