The new IDZ thermal optic from THALES

Yes, for the infantryman of the future (IdZ), there will be another new targeting optic. It is the XTRAIM from THALES, a red dot with thermal imaging. This has the advantage of allowing for rapid target acquisition on the battlefield, even when it is dark, foggy, or overgrown with foliage. Even during assault operations in Ukraine, you can see soldiers equipped with thermal imaging devices who then dominate the battlefield. We were able to test the XTRAIM in live fire at the TEUTO DEFENCE Behördentagen 2026.

This is how it looks on the weapon. Admittedly, it is not exactly compact, but performance also requires a certain size. The XTRAIM is 17 centimeters long and combines two devices into one: a thermal imager—which could otherwise be used as an attachment—and a reflex sight. It adds a good half a kilo to the weight of the rifle and can fire both 5.56 and 7.62 rounds.

The large germanium lens at the front already indicates that it must be a thermal imaging device with a large field of view.

And this is what the view through the XTRAIM looks like. The heat sources are highlighted in yellow. The red dot is turned off, so don't be surprised. The color cannot be changed, but you have three modes available: “Yellow Hot”, “Yellow Cold”, and “Outline”. Here you can see “Yellow Hot”, where heat is rendered in yellow.

The significant advantage of thermal imaging becomes apparent in very poor visibility and fog. It finds the target at 50 m in the fog. With the naked eye, nothing can be seen.

With the XTRAIM activated thermal image, it is no problem. This is a special heated target. The image appears somewhat strange, as the thermal image is mirrored, and you can see both the smoke and the heated target. A real superpower for the infantryman of the future. 

THALES online