Armed Forces
SCT Rubin Thermal Scopes Being Tested by the Army
Soldiers of the Polish 12th Mechanized Brigade have been using the SCT Rubin thermal scopes during the exercise which is being currently carried out. These sights have been introduced into the unit’s inventory back in 2014. It was the first time when shots were fired from behind a cover, with the use of a helmet-mounted sight, which receives the signal from the sight mounted on top of the weapon.
According to the press release published by the 12th Mechanized Brigade, the firing training has been realized by the reconnaissance element of that unit. The soldiers have been operating from behind a cover, using solely the imagery transmitted to the helmet-mounted display, with the SCT Rubin sight and Mini-Beryl .223 Carbine pointed at the target from behind the cover. The firing training exercise has been realized at the distance of 100 meters.
SCT Rubin is a thermal scope which is manufactured by the Warsaw-based PCO company. The sight is an element of the “Tytan” future soldier system, and it is to be used both for observation and target detection purposes. It also makes it possible to attack the targets in any weather and lighting conditions. Detection of a human-sized target is possible at distances of up to 1200 meters, and the image seen in the sight may be transmitted not only to the helmet mounted-sight, but also to the further receivers.
The sight is mounted with the use of the standard MIL-STD1913 Picatinny Rail, and it may be used with any modern small arms. The memory of the device may store data for several types of weapons and ammo. The Polish Army is currently using about 200 sights of this type. In December 2014 an agreement has been concluded by the Armament Inspectorate, according to which another 200 SCT Rubin thermal sights are to be acquired. Value of the deal is as much as PLN 16.2 million.