Get notifications in real-time for staying up to date with content that matters to you.
The company is among a number of local firms to secure work to support tranche 1 of the Commonwealth government’s lethality systems project.
The company is among a number of local firms to secure work to support tranche 1 of the Commonwealth government’s lethality systems project.
Lightforce Group subsidiary Force Ordnance has been selected to deliver its Nightforce precision rifle scopes to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) as part of the Sniper Systems component of LAND 159 Tranche 1.
The deal is expected to support the development of Force Ordnance’s M663 MILSPEC ATACR 7-35x56F1 scope in line with Five Eyes nation standards.
Force Ordnance’s scope — which reportedly met the requirements of the long-range anti-personnel sniper capability (LRAPSC) component of LAND 159 — is tipped to enable trained snipers to deliver precision fire against enemy combatants at ranges up to 1,800 metres in day and night conditions.
Mission applications include patrols, surveillance, and anti-materiel sniper capability (AMSC) at ranges of up to 2,500 metres in day and night conditions.
Force Ordnance business development manager Paul Mason, who served as a sniper in the ADF for 17 years, described the ATACR 7-35x56mm F1 as a “game-changer” for ADF snipers.
“The obvious benefit is the magnification improvement which takes ADF scope capability from 3-12 to 7-35 power, which in practical terms means that snipers can accurately identify targets at 1,200 metres, which is double the currently capability,” he said.
“Currently, a sniper would have to use an independent spotting scope to accurately identify targets beyond 600 metres, whereas now, that capability is built into the scope.”
Lightforce Group owner and founder Dr Ray Dennis said Force Ordnance’s selection capped off a critical business development phase for the company.
“We recently announced that our world-renowned automotive and hunting lights are being trialled by the ADF and are in service in other leading military outfits across the world,” Dennis said.
Subscribe to the Defence Connect daily newsletter. Be the first to hear the latest developments in the defence industry.
“Our scopes are trusted by the best marksmen in the world, and it is very satisfying that we can now contribute so meaningfully to Australian sovereign defence capability through the provision of this rifle scope system.”
Force Ordnance is among a number of companies selected to support LAND 159 under Brisbane-based munitions company NIOA’s contract.
NIOA announced its official receipt of the LAND 159 Tranche 1 contract at the Land Forces 2022 Exposition.
Deliverables under tranche 1 of the program include:
[Related: NIOA secures LAND 159 contract]
Mechanical Engineer Graduate – 2 Positions Available, Helensvale, Queensland, Australia
Electrical Engineer (Launch Site Operations), Helensvale, Queensland, Australia
Electrical Manufacturing Engineer, Helensvale, Queensland, Australia
Senior GNC Engineer, Helensvale, Queensland, Australia
SEA 5000 Hunter Class Future Frigate
SEA 1180 Arafura class Offshore Patrol Vessels
Photo essay: The history of Australia’s fifth-generation F-35s
Avalon 2019 Photo Essay: Celebrating the future of air power
Photo Essay: RAAF training capabilities on show
Photo essay: Australia’s air lift capabilities
Photo Essay - Five years on, Operation MANITOU continues to deliver
Be the first to hear the latest developments in the defence industry.