The first Lasers arrived

Program Manager Ground Weapons Systems (PM GWS) within PAE Marine Corps began fielding the Squad Aiming Laser (SAL) to the School of Infantry-East, equipping infantry, reconnaissance and special operations forces with a compact, high-precision tool for the modern battlefield.

SAL is an ultra-compact, all-digital, multi-function laser system. It provides both visible and near-infrared (NIR) aiming pointers and illumination, allowing Marines to locate, identify, and engage targets in the most contentious environments and harshest conditions. The SAL is produced by ENVISION TECHNOLOGY and the contract was awarded last year.

The benefits to the Fleet Marine Force (FMF) are rooted in three primary tactical advantages: weight reduction, beam quality, and engagement range. By reducing the front-end weight of the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR), the SAL improves overall weapon balance, making the platform more maneuverable during high-tempo operations. The use of Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL) technology produces a uniform, clean beam for faster target identification enabling squads to fully utilize the extended-range capabilities of modern NVGs, pushing the lethality of the squad further than ever before.

Beyond its technical specifications, the SAL program serves as an example of the Marine Corps’ commitment to rapidly delivering capability through leveraging commercial technology. By leveraging SOCOM’s Small Business Innovation Research efforts and small-business agility, the SAL program moved from a stated requirement to a major contract award with remarkable speed. This rapid acquisition model ensures that Marines are not waiting years for technology that is available today.

ENVISION TECHNOLOGY online