Senop is bringing the new Senop OSKAR TWS smart sight to the market. As a result of intensive development work, a simple and cost-effective smart sight for NAMMO’s M72-series single-use launchers and small arms is being introduced. The development work has been carried out together with NAMMO Raufoss and the sight will be launched for global sales in 2026.
NAMMO’s M72 single-use rocket launchers can be considered legends of the battlefield thanks to their extensive service history and continuous product development. The first M72 variants entered service with the United States Armed Forces in the 1960s, and development of new versions has continued to this day. Different M72 variants are in service with the armed forces of more than 40 countries.
Why the M72?
The M72 launchers offer a good balance of power, size, and weight. For example, the M72 EC MK1 (66 KES 12), which is also used by the Finnish Defence Forces, weighs only 3.5 kg, is 78 cm long in transport configuration, and can penetrate more than 450 mm of homogeneous armour steel.
The M72 single-use launcher is easy to train with, simple to operate, and quick to prepare for use. For this reason, it is considered an every-mans anti-tank and support weapon. In other words, if necessary, every soldier in an infantry squad can be equipped with this weapon. Thanks to its light weight, an individual soldier can, in addition to their personal combat gear, carry two M72 launchers if needed.
Shooting in the dark and difficult conditions arise challenges for light single-use launchers, since they are not equipped with night sights. Darkness and difficult visibility conditions further increase the likelihood of human error. A reflex sight can be mounted on M72-series launchers, which in itself enables firing in the dark using a helmet-mounted night-vision device. However, the detection range of a helmet-mounted night-vision device is very limited, and on its own does not allow firing at maximum distances.
Improving accuracy can save lives
Traditionally, the effective firing ranges of light disposable launchers have been 150–175 meters against moving targets and about 220–250 meters against stationary targets. Effective range is defined as the distance at which 50% of shots hit the target. However, the shooter has the greatest influence on dispersion. Stressful combat situations, errors in estimating target distance and lead, and shooting position significantly affect hit probability of a successful shot. According to studies, especially at long ranges, shooters’ errors in distance estimation often become larger. On the other hand, shots fired close to the target may hit more likely but are significantly more risky due to vehicle and infantry counter measures.
Saving seconds—or even tenths of a second—in a combat situation under enemy fire can be a matter of life and death. The advanced sight helps the soldier carry out a successful shot quicker and achieve a first-round hit every time. With accurate distance information, OSKAR TWS automatically performs ballistic calculations and accounts for external ballistic factors. Automatic elevation-angle calculation speeds up accurate engagement and minimizes shooter estimation errors. With precise distance measurement and ballistic computation, the OSKAR TWS increases the speed of fire and effective firing range of the M72-series light launchers in both daylight and darkness, all the way to the maximum effective range. Using the full extent of the firing range of the weapon positions the operator of the weapon is further away from counter measures from the target and decreases the risk of casualties.
Operational versatility from advanced technology
Senop, together with NAMMO Raufoss, has developed the Senop OSKAR TWS smart sight for use with M72 single-use launchers. The OSKAR TWS is the world’s first smart sight designed to be attached to the NAMMO M72-series launchers including the M72 training systems. It is an extremely lightweight sight based on thermal imaging technology. OSKAT TWS enables firing in daylight, in darkness, and in challenging visibility conditions. In developing the sight, emphasis was placed on ergonomics, simplicity, versatility, and suitability for arctic conditions.
The OSKAR TWS weighs only 400 g. The sight is equipped with an uncooled 12 μm sensor and has 2x optical magnification. If desired, the shooter can also use 2x and 4x digital magnification. A wireless laser rangefinder can be connected to the sight.
In addition to the M72-series single-use launchers, Senop OSKAR TWS can also be used on small arms such as assault rifles and light machine guns, around the clock and in all seasons. Thanks to its versatility, the OSKAR TWS increases the accuracy of the squad’s small arms and support weapons, as well as the squad’s overall firepower. For this reason, OSKAR TWS is a cost-effective option as an intelligent sighting solution for an infantry squad. The sight is easy to handle and train with, and its development has taken into account ease of maintenance and low life-cycle costs.
Senop is a trusted Finnish provider of high-performance night vision devices and demanding system integration services as well as critical communications solutions for the defence and security sector. Senop’s mission is to enable reliable situational awareness as well as increased firepower and mobility even in the most extreme conditions for their customers.
Senop provides high-performance night vision devices designed for harsh operation environments, intelligent sensor technology-based solutions and demanding turn-key system integration services, as well as secure communications solutions and services for customers in the defence, security and critical infrastructure industries. Employing over 140 professionals in four locations, Senop is a subsidiary of Millog and part of Patria Group.