The Latest from Cactus Tactical: Weapons of the War in Afghanistan: Optics, Part I

Weapons of the War in Afghanistan

In the world of war, weapons and technology are ever changing, each war is characterized by the weapons and tactics used to fight it. As new environments and enemies are encountered, the parties to those wars develop new - more effective tactics, technologies, and weapons to counter and defeat their adversaries. The ingenuity seen in war has existed since (and most certainly before) the first wars of recorded history and continue to this very day.

Keeping with that theory, let’s take a look at the weapons that have characterized the wars and conflicts that the United States has been a party to over the course of it’s history. During the course of this series, I aim to breakdown the weapons used in each conflict by their classification, and to which party they were employed by. Having served in combat operations in Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley, I would like to start our series with the War in Afghanistan.

For our twenty-first installment let's take a look the most common optics used in the War in Afghanistan.

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Part I - The United States

M68 Close Combat Optic (CCO)

The M68 Close Combat Optic (CCO) is a unity power, red dot aiming device that enhances target acquisition speed, allowing Soldiers to engage targets up to 300 meters with both eyes open to maintain situational awareness. The M68 CCO is compatible with all current night vision enhancements. It is the standard issue sight for the M4/M16.

Specifications:

Weight: 14 ounces
Length: 5.3 inches
Magnification: None

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M150 Rifle Combat Optic (RCO)

The M150 Rifle Combat Optic (RCO) is a rugged, battery-free, 4x magnified optic that provides full mission profile optical capability for use on M4/M16/M249 weapon systems. Enhanced capabilities provided by the M150 RCO include range estimation, which, with the bullet drop compensated reticle, provides accurate target engagements from 300 to 600 meters for trained operators.

The Army is currently converting previously fielded USMC TA31RCOs-M4 ACOGs to the standard M150 RCO configuration.

Specifications:

Weight: 16.2 ounces
Length: 8.2 inches
Magnification: 4x

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M145 Machine Gun Optic (MGO)

The M145 Machine Gun Optic (MGO) provides machine gunners with the capability to detect, identify and engage targets at extended ranges. The 3.4x power magnification and wide field-of-view make this product configurable to mission profiles, operational modes and environmental conditions. It fits on the M240B/L for Infantry, Armored Cavalry, Special Forces and Combat Engineer units.

Specifications: