British Army tries Israeli "smartsights" SMASH X4 against FPV.

The British ground forces have started to receive and deploy the previously ordered "smart sights" for light weapons, produced by the Israeli company SmartShooter. With the aid of these devices, they will enhance the accuracy and overall shooting efficiency of existing automatic rifles. The primary task of the new sights will be to combat drones and small unmanned aircraft.
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British infantry tries the SMASH X 4 mounted on L85A3 rifle  (Picture source: British MoD)

Britain is closely monitoring the progression of ongoing hostilitie aroud the world and is also collecting and analyzing various information. As a result, the British military has drawn conclusions about the state and prospects of light unmanned aircraft. They concluded that it was necessary to create or acquire specialized means to combat this phenomenon.

In June 2022, a potential solution to this new challenge was found. As an air defense system, it was proposed to use the army's standard L85A3 automatic rifles, additionally equipped with computerized sights from the SMASH series by the Israeli company SmartShooter. The tests took place at the base of the Yorkshire Infantry Regiment. Rifles equipped with new sights were tested on shooting ranges and firing fields. Test shooters fired at fixed and mobile targets on the ground and in the air, independently or in groups.

Based on the results of these tests, the foreign-made "smart sights" made an excellent impression. The devices capable of independently calculating firing data increased the accuracy and precision of shooting in all conditions and situations.

The order, placed at the end of 2023, tasked the British company Viking Arms Ltd with purchasing 225 sights from SmartShooter and delivering them to the client. The total cost of these products was 4.6 million British pounds (approximately 5.38 million euros), equating to 20,000 pounds or 24,000 euros each. The first batch of 225 sights is designated for the permanent readiness units of the ground forces. Future purchases to equip other units and formations of the army are also possible. Moreover, devices like the SMASH X4 could potentially be adopted by the Marine Corps or RAF rifle units in the future.

Recently, photos from such a training session were published on the official brigade social media accounts. They notably featured shooting with a standard L85A3 rifle equipped with a new sight at a small quadcopter. Given the role of the 16th Brigade and its position within the British armed forces, it is expected that SMASH sight-equipped rifles will soon appear on foreign training grounds as part of certain NATO exercises. Additionally, these weapons may also be used in overseas operations by the British military.

Since the early 2010s, SmartShooter Ltd. from the Israeli kibbutz Yagur has been working on computerized sights for light weapons. In the mid-2010s, it presented its first such developments, suitable for use, and soon secured orders for mass production and delivery of sights.

To date, the company has developed and marketed several "smart sights" under the general name SMASH. Products in this family are based on common solutions, components, and algorithms. Moreover, each has its own characteristics and differs from the others in some way. For this reason, they are attempting to expand the circle of potential buyers and increase their chances of securing new contracts.

The SMASH X4, purchased by the UK, is an electronic sight for light weapons designed to enhance accuracy and precision under all conditions. It comes in a complex-shaped body mounted on a standard rifle rail, featuring a remote control button at the front to operate the sight. The sight is over 200 mm in length, 90-100 mm in width (depending on configuration), and 83 mm in height. When fully equipped, the device weighs 1.25 kg.

SMASH X4 is based on an optical sight with a 4x magnification. This device is supplemented by an opto-electronic system, a computing unit, and an optional laser rangefinder. Upon the shooter's command, the automatic system tracks the target, measures the range, and computes shooting corrections. The outcome of the calculations, in the form of an aiming mark at the optimal point, is displayed in the main sight through the collimator.

The X4 Smart Sight shares features similar to other products in the SMASH series. However, it stands out by incorporating an optical sight with magnification. According to the developer, the sight allows engaging and hitting ground targets at distances up to 400 meters both day and night. It is designed to target aerial objects up to 250 meters away. The device is powered by an integrated lithium-ion battery, which lasts for 72 hours of operation or 3600 shots taken.

The positive experience of the 16th Airborne Brigade and other units of the British army could also interest foreign militaries. All developed armed forces, observing the events in the Donbass, are now seeking means to protect against drones of all existing classes. The British army, with its "smart sights," could set a good example for them, which will stimulate the development of an interesting and promising direction.