AN/PEQ-15

AN/PEQ-15
United States Army | Program Executive Office Soldier · Public domain · source
Name	AN/PEQ-15
Caption	AN/PEQ-15 laser aiming module
Origin	United States
Manufacturer	L3Harris
Type	Laser aiming device/IR illuminator
Service	2008–present
Used by	United States Marine Corps; United States Army; United States Navy SEALs

AN/PEQ-15 The AN/PEQ-15 is a compact laser aiming module and infrared illuminator designed for use with infantry small arms. It integrates visible and infrared laser pointers with an infrared illuminator in a single housing for target acquisition and close-quarters engagement, and has been issued to units associated with expeditionary operations and special operations forces.

Design and Features

The device combines design elements from optics used by United States Marine Corps units, procurement standards influenced by United States Special Operations Command, and components comparable to systems fielded by Royal Marines and British Army units. Its housing incorporates ruggedization practices observed in equipment from Naval Surface Warfare Center testing and follows form-factor conventions seen in products from L3Harris Technologies and legacy designs originating at Northrop Grumman. The module features a visible red laser, an infrared (IR) laser, and an IR illuminator, with controls patterned after handheld devices certified under standards from Underwriters Laboratories and evaluated under protocols used at Aberdeen Proving Ground. The ergonomic interface echoes selector layouts used in optics supplied to Delta Force elements and units modeled on procurement frameworks from United States Air Force Special Operations Command.

Operational Use

Fielding began with deployments supporting operations similar to those conducted by United States Central Command task forces and has since been observed in inventories tied to deployments near theaters associated with Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Operators mount the module on accessory rails standardized to NATO carriage systems and employ it in conjunction with night-vision equipment issued to personnel in units such as United States Navy SEALs, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and Marine Expeditionary Units. Tactics for use reflect doctrine promulgated by staff at United States Army Training and Doctrine Command and training packages from Naval Special Warfare Center, emphasizing target designation, laser-assisted grenade launcher referencing, and low-light navigation. After-action reports from exercises co-sponsored by Joint Special Operations Command and multinational partners like Australian Defence Force personnel have informed best practices for engagement ranges and laser safety.

Variants and Accessories

Several accessory items and mounting variants exist, influenced by aftermarket offerings from firms with ties to Sagem, Thales Group, and other defense suppliers. Picatinny-compatible mounts, quick-detach adaptors used by units such as British SAS, and remote pressure switches adopted by Special Air Service (SAS) operators are common. Some kits bundle the module with aiming solutions comparable to those in bundles sold to Israel Defense Forces units and incorporate backup iron sight compatibility following patterns from Heckler & Koch and FN Herstal platform integrations. Training variants used at institutions like United States Military Academy and maintenance support documented by Defense Logistics Agency supply chains enable sustainment across brigade-level organizations.

History and Development

Development traces to competitive contracts and technology maturation phases that involved contractors known for electro-optical work and procurement frameworks influenced by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency initiatives. Early concept evaluations paralleled programs tested at Picatinny Arsenal and logistics reviews performed at Marine Corps Systems Command. Iterative improvements reflected lessons learned from deployments by units associated with Special Operations Command Europe and bilateral exchanges with partners from Canadian Special Operations Forces Command. Upgrades over time addressed power management, laser output modulation, and environmental sealing to meet operational requirements set by staffs at Joint Chiefs of Staff meetings and theater commanders in environments similar to those overseen by United States Africa Command.

Technical Specifications

- Primary functions: visible laser pointer, infrared laser pointer, infrared illuminator; interface options comparable to systems certified by Underwriters Laboratories testing standards. - Mounting: Picatinny rail compatible as standardized in procurement orders used by NATO partner forces. - Power: battery-powered with runtime parameters evaluated under environmental test cycles at Aberdeen Proving Ground and lifecycle analyses used by Defense Logistics Agency. - Output modes: multiple intensity settings and visible/IR selection switches akin to controls fielded on devices used by United States Army Special Forces and British Army units. - Environmental ratings: sealed to withstand conditions assessed in trials at Naval Surface Warfare Center and climatic tests modeled after scenarios from Southwest Asia deployments.

Category:Laser aiming modules Category:United States military equipment