NationStates Jolt Archive


Argus Introduces New Sentinel Holosight

Amastol
25-05-2008, 00:50
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Argus Promotional image

Origin-
Released in February of 2008 Argus’ Sentinel Holosight was designed on the specific request of the staff of the Mountain Special Combat School located in Stackhouse, in Lungeon County, Amastol. The school had gone to a dozen different manufacturers over the years both foreign and domestic with a request for a holosight or optical gun sight that just could handle the abusive rocky and whitewater environments the soldiers were being trained to operate in. Many soldiers were forced to rely only on iron sights alone after all other weapon sights had quickly met their match slammed against rocks or dragged in the current while crossing any substantial stretch of rapids. The staff at the school was obviously worried. They were glad such mishaps were happening in the controlled environment of the school, but in a combat encounter such a loss could potentially decrease a squads potential, the sights having been a proven force multiplier for the small professional army of Amastol.

Argus started what would become the Sentinel in earnest in June 2006; working closely in conjunction with the MSCS they went through seven prototypes before they reached a satisfactory design in late August of 2007. With approval and blessing of the staff of the MSCS, Argus began the first production run on January first 2008. As of the publishing of this article, the Sentinel is in the process of being distributed to all rifle carrying non-specialist infantry, and vehicle crews in the Amastoli Royal Guards.


Construction-
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Sentinel Milling and First assembly room

The Sentinel due to its strict ruggedness requirements is constructed quite differently from the majority of ‘off-the-shelf’ gun sights currently available. Construction begins with two die cast pieces of TiAL alloy, referred to as the inner and outer assembly. This two-piece construction allows for better strength and impact resistance while providing for accurate sight placement. The inner assembly is designed to secure the primary optics and as such once cast is milled to its final dimensions and fitted with the Sentinels crystal clear Aluminum Oxynitride optics. Lighter and stronger than traditional glass, AlON unlike glass is actually a transparent ceramic and when used in conjunction with the Sentinels shockproof construction is nearly indestructible. Secured inside the inner assembly is the end point of the fiber-optic cord, which acts as the light transfer source for the reticle. The end of the cord is specially polished and shaped for maximum light transmission and reticle clarity This cord is shielded for the majority of the its transfer through the external housing (both to reduce wear and increase light transmission) but is left exposed for a section on the top of the sight to allow it to automatically adjust to changing light conditions. The inner assembly once fully constructed is filled with nitrogen gas and sealed to make it fog and waterproof, then fitted with a thermoplastic-elastomer sheath to shock isolate it from the rest of the assembly.

The inner optics of the Sentinel are specially treated for their performance in field. Instead of coating the outermost lens, the secondary optic contains the majority of coatings so as to protect them from the elements. This lens is both polarized and treated with a ‘hunter’ green coating increasing contrast in both low and day light. The outer lens is coated with a water and oil shedding protectorate, reducing the glare from water droplets. A must have feature when operating in the whitewater or exposed to the elements. This lens is also coated in a proprietary anti-reflection coating that reduces the glare of the lens significantly and is assisted by the forward sunshade. This is also applied to the inner side of the outer lens further decreasing reflected light and increasing the brightness of the sight tube appreciably. The inner assembly then is fitted with o-rings and set aside till the outer assembly is completed.

The outer assembly requires a bit more milling than the inner assembly due the tight fit of the final components and the standards for properly waterproofing the sight. An inset within the left side of the assembly is fitted with a shock isolated Tritium-phosphor lamp and the rotary gradient filter (which controls the lamps intensity) as well as the IR filter plate assembly inline with the culminating lens that will attach to the fiber optic cord. The rotary control rod and the fiber optic cord are the only penetrating components of the outer assembly. The shielded fiber optic cord is then looped once to give it some slack in the case of tugging due impact or other shock. At this time the unshielded section of cord is left hanging from the assembly as the Inner assembly is installed. The sight adjustment bracket is installed and calibrated with a laser system for proper calibration and fitting. Once satisfied the mounts milled locking bars are installed as well as their heat-treated cross springs.

Once both assemblies are installed, an outer ‘boot’ of thermo-plastic is slid over the housing. This shockproof ‘boot’ is composed of front and rear shock buffers, and the roof ribs, it also acts as the support for the fiber-optic coil. Once secured the fiber-optic wire, which was, left hanging out of the outer assembly is wrapped among the various posts on the top of the boot so that it can collect ambient light to adjust the brightness of the sights reticle. Once in place flat against the top of the housing, and secured via a set of molded ‘pegs’ a frosted piece of clear polycarbonate is set above it and secured to the boot. Now nearly assembled the sight is fitted with corrosion resistant rubber cover and sealed to keep out water. The sight now only requires the two-piece setting drum to be installed and the sight is packaged and sent to Quality Assurance.


Operation-
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Sentinel control diagram

The Sentinel is an extremely lightweight weapon sight designed for use with both eyes open for a wider field of view, its parallax free optics allow for unlimited eye relief making the weapon comfortable to shoot in any position. Designed for indefinite or long term mounting on service weapons, the Sentinel at under 200 grams in weight has very little to any effect on weapon balance and should not interfere with existing iron sights. Installation is simple only requiring the user to squeeze the two side plates and either sliding or lowering the sight onto the rail. The sight will retain its zero to one minute of angle when removed, and was often tested as infantry quickly discovered it titanium locking jaws designed for a death-grip secure mounting of the sight to a weapons rail system worked well as bottle openers when returning to their barracks from long patrols. Though the design team never the intended its use as such, it has never been advised against.

The weapons reticle is a laser precise 3 MOA diameter dot that is adjustable in both elevation, and windage in half MOA increments allowing the user to put the weapon on target with rifle scope like precision. The reticle also features eight brightness settings that allow for the user to find their ideal balance of brightness and contrast with their surroundings. The reflected reticle is assisted by the use of an etched reticle on the reflecting plate, which prevents ‘bloom’ commonly associated with reflection style sights. An open section of fiber optic cord is wrapped along a series of posts under a matte piece of polycarbonate on the top of the sight. This exposed section of tubing collects ambient light and brightens the reticle when shooting in bight light increasing reticle contrast instantly to changing conditions. Due to the tube construction however they do not emit any visible light decreasing nighttime observation issues.

A patented ‘One-Touch’ infrared filter system is installed between the gradient system that at the touch of the center button on the brightness setting wheel converts the sight from a traditional visible red dot sight to a night vision compatible sighting system giving it full day and night war-fighting capability at the touch of a button. Though naturally scratch resistant due to the AlONs hardness, the sights optics are safely secured within the sight. Both outer lenses being recessed within the outer rubber and thermoplastic buffer assembly, the front lens further protected by inadvertent scratches due to its sunshade.

Overview-
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Argus Promotional image

Easy to use, capable and powerful, the Sentinel Holosight is a simple means of adding a force multiplier to any rifle or submachine gun equipped unit. Its cost comes from its value, and its reliability, designed to operate continuously for up to twelve years with no batteries to change ever. Its rugged reliability in the wettest, roughest environments imaginable is a testament to the internal engineering and materials science that went into the making of the Sentinel.


Specifications-

Magnification: 1x
Length: 75 mm
Width: 55 mm
Objective: 25 mm
Height: 55 mm
Weight: 140 grams
Illumination Source: Green or Red Tritium-Phosphor lamp
Illumination Lifespan: 10-12 years on any setting
Illumination Settings: 8 intensity settings, IR filter button for use with NV equipment
Reticle: 2 MOA dot + ring, or 3 MOA dot (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/jay3135/work/sentsights.png)
Eye relief: Unlimited
Exit Pupil Diameter: 8 mm
Exterior Finish: Shock-proof Rubber
Waterproof: < 45 meters
Adjustment resolution: 0.5 minute of angle or degrees
Adjustment range: 100 minutes of angle
Mounting requirements: MIL-STD-1913 RIS
Cost: 850.00 NSD
Cotland
25-05-2008, 01:22
Official Communiqué

On the behalf of the Royal Cottish Military, I'd like to purchase a total of 25 million Sentinel holosights with the Red Tritium-Phosphor lamp. This has been calculated to cost approximately $21.25 billion, which will be transfered to your account upon confirmation of this order.

Sincerely,
Viseadmiral Ørjan Bakke
Procurement Division
Royal Ministry for the Defense of the Realm
The Realm of Cotland


OOC: Yay! I came first! :)
Amastol
25-05-2008, 01:33
To: Viseadmiral Ørjan Bakke

Dear Sir,

We are glad to receive your order for twenty-five million units of Argus' new Sentinel Holosight, at this moment we are glad to announce we have sufficient surplus to fulfill your order immediately and are glad to see the that the Cottish Military has some of the best and brightest minds in command of procurement. We should have your order ready for immediate departure within the next twenty-four hours, once customs, and our usual export quality Assurance checks are completed.

We thank you for your order and hope to see you again.

-Karen Siller
International Sales rep
AIM, DRA
Dostanuot Loj
25-05-2008, 02:11
Inquiry to Purchase

Having reviewd many optionjs for a standard issue rifle sight it has come to the option best suited for me to procure, that of the Sentinel Holosight. I would thus like to place an order for thirty million units (30,000,000) at a total cost of $25.5 billion NSD. Payment will be sent upon confirmation of the order.

- Commanding Officer of Military Procurement,
Ribishar Erishti Dumumiazimrik Dumuayak Kishak

Signed: Erishti Aya
Amastol
25-05-2008, 02:40
Your order has been received and full processed, though do to recent collision in the harbor I cannot at this moment mention which vessel your order will be leaving via. We should know once the mess is sorted out. Fear not however your order will not be delayed and as soon as proper transportation can be arranged we will be sure to forward all relevant arrival and transport info was all due haste.

We thank you for choosing Argus, and hope to hear from you soon.

-Karen Siller
International Sales rep
AIM, DRA
Amastol
25-05-2008, 15:54
Good Morning bump.
Doomingsland
25-05-2008, 17:31
Dear sir,

Although we are greatly impressed with the Sentinel holosight, in order for it to qualify for purchase by the Exercitus (this would be a contract of no less than 2.5 million units), certain modifications would need to be made. The current MOA of the dot is too large by our standards; we would require it to be 2 MOA in size. In addition, we would require a ring-and-dot style reticle to ease target acquisition in relation to the smaller dot. These sights would be used with a red tritium lamp. We would be most pleased to pay any extra development costs in order to expediate production of these sights. It should also be said that a potential 30 million unit contract with the Imperial Guard is also open pending satisfaction with this order.

-Officio Emptoris, Exercitus
Amastol
25-05-2008, 18:17
Dear sir,

We feel that your order is easily accomplished with our current facilities, and though we will have to produce all new units due to the custom requirements for the sight, we should be able to fulfill your order in batches over the next few months.

We thank you for choosing Argus and wish you avery good day.

-Karen Siller
International Sales rep
AIM, DRA
Amastol
25-05-2008, 20:47
and a bump.
The Silver Sky
25-05-2008, 21:53
Procurement Inquiry

We wish to inform you that after reviewing many applicants [and non-applicants] for our Standard Issue Sight Plan [SISP] we have concluded that the Argus Sentinel Holosight [with the 2 MOA dot Red Tritium-Phosphor lamp] meets all of the criteria set by the plan [one zoom setting, lightweight and rugged, etc]. However, we have one request, that the sights be modified to a ring and dot system for easier target acquisition. We would like to purchase 30,000,000 sights with the above modifications at the base cost of $25.5 Billion USD [not including the extra cost for the modifications]

Thank you.

-Ed Regent
Standard Issue Sight Procurement Department
Amastol
25-05-2008, 22:09
Dear sir,

We have approved your order and do to its similarity to another should have it completed within the following months. If you have any further requirements please let us know.

-Karen Siller
International Sales rep
AIM, DRA
Zinaire
25-05-2008, 22:24
http://img.skitch.com/20080510-egwgm6w8m4d76wm1prwm222s4u.png

Zinairian Military Authority
Department of Procurement
19 National Plaza, Zinaire City

We are intrigued by these new sights. We have also heard that at the request of several nations, you have developed a special ring-and-dot style reticle version. We would like to order five million sights with this reticle, a 2 MOA dot and red lighting.

Sentinel Holosight @ $850 * 5 million = $4.25 billion USD

If there are any extra charges for the modified reticle, simply add them to the bill– there is no need to confirm them with us.

http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/174/67355974D327BB5550CB3848A69067BD.png
Sir Logan Montelimar Sr.
Chancellor of Procurement
Amastol
25-05-2008, 23:10
We have received your order and begun its processing, as we have only one facility currently spooled up to handle to the ring reticle orders there will be a slight delay as we try and clear out the back order production, however since the ring and dot was recently made a standard option we should be able to divert some of the production to our secondary facility to decrease the wait times.

-Karen Siller
International Sales rep
AIM, DRA
Etoile Arcture
26-05-2008, 17:36
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Defence Directorate - Notification of Contract Award

From: Defence Directorate, Etoile Arcture Defence Forces
To: Argus Industrial Manufacturing
Subject: Contract award for fast-acquisition sight system

The Defence Directorate on behalf of the Etoile Arcture Defence Forces (EADF) has been conducting a market survey and analysis of foreign manufactured fast-acqusition sights for use with the VP90 “Velociraptor” Personal Defence Weapon. The requirements set down are the following. The sight should be lightweight, rugged and self-powered, of high accuracy, and suitable for both-eyes-open shooting.

The Defence Directorate has evaluated several foreign candidate designs and have determined that the Sentinel Holosight best meets the requirements of this contract. The defence Directorate therefore awards a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract of unlimited period of performance to Argus Industrial Manufacturing to supply 1 million (1,000,000) Sentinel Holosights and options to supply additional units. The contract value of this award will be 850 million Universal Standard Dollars (US$850.000,000). Total payment shall be transfered by wire transfer on comfirmation of agreement to supply the contracted items.
Amastol
26-05-2008, 21:19
Dear Sirs and/or Madams,

Argus Industrial Manufacturing gladly accepts the contract for the Fast-acquisition Sight System under the terms of tis Firm Fixed Price stipulation and is further approved for the option of future purchases as long as a further Firm Fixed Price option is submitted. Since there has been no listed changes we should be able to fulfill your contract from current surplus, and thus immediate delivery (pending shipping times of course) upon confirmation of payment and completion of secondary Quality Assurance checks. should you have any further requirements or questions do not hesitate to contact us directly at any times.

-Karen Siller
International Sales rep
AIM, DRA
Etoile Arcture
27-05-2008, 12:09
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Defence Directorate - Confirmation of Payment

From: Defence Directorate, Etoile Arcture Defence Forces
To: Argus Industrial Manufacturing
Subject: Re: Contract award for fast-acquisition sight system

The Defence Directorate confirms full payment has been made by wire transfer for the agreed amount of US$850,00,000 to supply 1,000,000 Sentry Holosights. The Economic Directorate has issued Argus Industrial Manufacturers an import license for the said items and our Procurement Directorate will shortly be contacting your company to supply the neccessary details to ship the items to Etoile Arcture.

Further details on the application of the Argus Sentry Holosight with the Defences Forces may be found here: http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13718927&postcount=4

With the conclusion of this transaction the Defence Directorate is pleased to inform Argus Industrial Manufacturers that it has been added to the list of approved suppliers to the Defence Forces. We fully expect to exercise further options in regards to the Sentry Holosight in the future, and to include your company as an approved bidder for other contracts with the Defence Forces.
Skibereen
27-05-2008, 14:48
TO: Argus Industrial Manufacturing
From: Ministry of Defense
Subject: product sales in Skibereen



While private sale of the Argus Sentry Holosight is completely legal and approved in the ARTIS(Armed Republic of the Three Isles of Skibereen) recent demand by a section of the men serving in the Armed forces has led to desire to examine the Argus optical system for approval of use by the IFAF.

While IFAF does not have standard optics system for holographic sights and allows soldiers to choose what system is used, any system must be approved.

To that end we seek to procure 1000 systems for a set of rugged field trials, with the express desire evaluate the system, and determine if it is fit for IFAF use.


MoD
Amastol
27-05-2008, 20:25
OOC: EA, those look like they go together pretty well, good height for use with the BUIS, and doesn't dominate the rail area entirely either.
-=-=---------------------------------------------------------------------
To: Ministry of Defense, Skibereen

Dear Sirs, and/or Madams,

We are glad you've taken an interest in the Sentinel Holosight and are willing to provide the units requested free of charge on two minor conditions. The first condition is that all sights at the completion of the exercise be returned to us (or their components parts), and Secondly that the data garnered from this testing is shared with us for future product improvement. If this acceptable we are glad to provide the sights pro-bono and hope to hear from you shortly as to their performance.

If you would instead decide to purchase the sights that is indeed acceptable as well though we would still request as a courtesy the sharing of said data at the completion of the testing, though this would be at your discretion.

-Karen Siller
International Sales rep
AIM, DRA