M68 CCO

M68 CCO. The M68 Close Combat Optic is a ruggedized, military-specification red dot reflex sight adopted by the United States Armed Forces as a standard-issue aiming device. Designed and manufactured by the Swedish company Aimpoint AB, it provides rapid target acquisition for individual soldiers in close-quarters battle and general infantry engagements. Its introduction marked a significant shift in small arms optics doctrine, moving away from traditional iron sights towards faster, more intuitive electronic aiming systems.

Overview

The M68 CCO was type-classified by the United States Army in the late 1990s following extensive testing and evaluation. It is the military designation for the commercial Aimpoint CompM2 sight, procured to meet the requirements of the Objective Individual Combat Weapon program and other modernization initiatives. The optic was formally adopted around the year 2000, seeing its first major combat deployment during the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War. Its procurement was part of a broader effort to enhance the lethality and effectiveness of the individual infantryman, influenced by lessons from conflicts like the Battle of Mogadishu.

Design and features

The sight is built around a durable aluminum housing, designed to withstand the rigors of combat and maintain zero under harsh conditions. Its core optical principle uses a light-emitting diode to project a red dot, typically 4 MOA in size, onto a coated lens, which the shooter's eye superimposes on the target. This system offers unlimited eye relief and parallax-free performance at typical engagement distances, allowing for fast shooting from unconventional positions. Power is supplied by a single lithium battery, providing an exceptionally long operational life measured in years of continuous use. The housing incorporates integral Picatinny rail mounting and is compatible with night vision devices via optional AN/PVS-14 filters.

Operational use

In service, the M68 is primarily mounted on the M4 carbine and the M16 rifle, though it has also been used on weapons like the M249 SAW and the M240 machine gun. Its primary tactical advantage is enabling soldiers to engage threats with both eyes open, maintaining situational awareness while achieving rapid, accurate fire. This capability proved invaluable in the complex urban environments of Fallujah and during patrols in the Korengal Valley. The sight is routinely employed by units across the United States Marine Corps, the 82nd Airborne Division, and the 75th Ranger Regiment during direct action missions and infantry assaults.

Variants

The primary variant is the **M68 CCO**, corresponding to the Aimpoint CompM2. An improved model, the **M68 CCO (SU-237/PVQ)**, also known as the CompM4, features enhanced waterproofing, a redesigned control knob, and a stronger housing. The United States Special Operations Command has fielded specialized versions, including models with different reticle patterns and lower-profile mounts. While not a direct variant, the evolution of the M68 lineage influenced the development and subsequent adoption of the M150 Rifle Combat Optic and the Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG) series within the U.S. military.

Users

The primary user is the United States, with widespread issuance across the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force Security Forces. It has been exported to numerous allied nations through the Foreign Military Sales program. Notable international military users include the Australian Defence Force, the Canadian Armed Forces, the Polish Armed Forces, and the Iraqi Security Forces. The sight has also been adopted by various law enforcement agencies, including the FBI Hostage Rescue Team and state-level SWAT teams.