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Leonardo DRS has completed final training and delivery of the Improved Night/Day Observation Device (INOD) Block III thermal weapon sights for the Australian Army under the LAND 159 Tranche 1 program.
The clip-on thermal weapon sight is designed to help snipers and special operations forces detect, identify, and engage targets in darkness, smoke, haze, and adverse weather. Mounted in front of an existing direct-view optic, the system is designed to preserve the operator’s zeroed scope and is compatible with magnifications from 5x to greater than 25x.
The INOD Block III uses a micro-cooled, 640-by-480 mid-wave infrared focal plane array to provide thermal imagery and target discrimination in conditions that can limit conventional optics. For sustained field use, it incorporates lithium batteries with hot-swap capability, allowing battery changes without interrupting operation. The sight can also use external power for extended static-surveillance tasks. A rear-facing focus knob, wired remote control, and glove-compatible, one-handed operation support use in field conditions.
Jerry Hathaway, senior vice president and general manager of Leonardo DRS Electro-Optical and Infrared Systems business unit, said, “Completing delivery and training for the Australian Army is an important milestone for our team. The INOD Block III provides a thermal sighting capability intended to support sniper operations in demanding conditions, and the training helps ensure personnel are prepared to operate and maintain the system.”
Australian defense company NIOA is the prime contractor for LAND 159 Tranche 1 and managed local program coordination and delivery logistics on behalf of the Australian Army. The acquisition provides Australian snipers with the same generation of thermal sight currently fielded by U.S. Army Special Operations Forces, strengthening interoperability with Australia’s primary alliance partner across joint and coalition operations.
Alongside the hardware delivery, Leonardo DRS provided hands-on training to Australian Army personnel to support operation and maintenance of the systems. The company is also a provider of individual weapon sights and thermal targeting systems to the U.S. Army. Its thermal sighting portfolio includes the INOD family and the Family of Weapon Sights program.
