AN/PEQ-1 SOFLAM (GLTD) | |
---|---|
![]() AN/PEQ-1A SOFLAM | |
Place of origin | United States |
Service history | |
Used by | United States Armed Forces |
Wars | War in Afghanistan, Iraq War |
Production history | |
Manufacturer | Northrop Grumman |
Variants | |
General Specifications | |
Dimensions (L×H×W) | 11.2 in × 13.2 in × 5.2 in (28 cm × 34 cm × 13 cm) |
Weight | 11.3 lb (5.13 kg) |
Additional features | Tripod |
Viewer Specifications | |
Viewer FoV | 4.4°Hx5°V |
Zoom | 10x |
Target Designator Specifications | |
Target Designator Output (mw) | 80 mJ |
Target Designator Divergence (mrad) | 0.3 mrad |
Target Designator Wavelength (nm) | 1064 nm Nd-YAG |
Target Designator Range (km) | >10 km |
Laser Rangefinder Specifications | |
Rangefinder Output (mw) | 80 mJ |
Rangefinder Divergence (mrad) | 0.3 mrad |
Rangefinder Wavelength (nm) | 1064 nm Nd-YAG |
Rangefinder Range (km) | ~20 km [4] |
Rangefinder Accuracy (m) | 35 m |
The AN/PEQ-1 also known as a Special Operations Forces Laser Acquisition Marker (SOFLAM or SOF-LAM) or the Ground Laser Target Designator (GLTD) is a U.S. military laser designator designed for use by special operations forces (SOF), including Combat Control Teams (CCT), Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC), and Tactical Air Control Parties (TACP), under rugged field conditions. [4] [5] [6] Using the SOFLAM, soldiers can mark targets for close air support and artillery; in combination with GPS systems it can also generate coordinates for precision guided munitions. With the SOFLAM and other target designators, support fires can be called in extremely close to friendly forces while avoiding friendly fire. [7]
The AN/PEQ-1 was first used in combat in the War in Afghanistan, then later in the Iraq War. Close air support called in via SOFLAM by SOF like the "Horse Soldiers" from 5th Special Forces ODAs, embedded CIA officers, and other forces, contributed heavily to US and allied victories during the invasion of Afghanistan. It was used during the capture of Mazar-i-Sharif, the capture of Bagram Airfield, and the Fall of Kandahar, among many other engagements. [8] [9] [7] [10]
Some complaints were made about its weight and power consumption which necessitated bringing multiple replacement batteries. In its earlier configurations, the AN/PEQ-1 did not have a laser rangefinder nor could it interface directly with GPS devices. [6] Both the laser rangefinder and GPS interface capabilities were added with later versions. [7]
The Lockheed AC-130 gunship is a heavily armed, long-endurance, ground-attack variant of the C-130 Hercules transport, fixed-wing aircraft. It carries a wide array of ground-attack weapons that are integrated with sophisticated sensors, navigation, and fire-control systems. Unlike other modern military fixed-wing aircraft, the AC-130 relies on visual targeting. Since its large profile and low operating altitudes around 7,000 feet make it an easy target, its close air support missions are usually flown at night.
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. The armed forces consist of six service branches: the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. All six armed services are among the eight uniformed services of the United States, along with the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps.
The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) is a guidance kit that converts unguided bombs, or "dumb bombs", into all-weather precision-guided munitions (PGMs). JDAM-equipped bombs are guided by an integrated inertial guidance system coupled to a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, giving them a published range of up to 15 nautical miles (28 km). JDAM-equipped bombs range from 500 to 2,000 pounds. The JDAM's guidance system was jointly developed by the United States Air Force and United States Navy, hence the "joint" in JDAM. When installed on a bomb, the JDAM kit is given a GBU identifier, superseding the Mark 80 or BLU nomenclature of the bomb to which it is attached.
The M4 carbine is a 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifle developed in the United States during the 1980s. It is a shortened version of the M16A2 assault rifle.
United States special operations forces (SOF) are the active and reserve component forces of the United States Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force within the US military, as designated by the Secretary of Defense and specifically organized, trained, and equipped to conduct and support special operations. All active and reserve special operations forces are assigned to the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).
A laser designator is a laser light source which is used to designate a target. Laser designators provide targeting for laser-guided bombs, missiles, or precision artillery munitions, such as the Paveway series of bombs, AGM-114 Hellfire, or the M712 Copperhead round, respectively.
The AN/PEQ-2 Infrared Target Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Light (ITPIAL) is a laser sight for use on rifles fitted with a Picatinny rail. It was manufactured by Insight Technology.
Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) is the term used in the United States Armed Forces and some other military forces for a qualified service member who directs the action of military aircraft engaged in close air support and other offensive air operations from a forward position. The term that is used in most other countries, as well as previously in the U.S. and in the relevant NATO standard, is Forward Air Controller. The term became effective in the U.S. on September 3, 2003 with the publishing of Joint Publication (JP) 3-09.3 Close Air Support.
The Special Operations Peculiar MODification (SOPMOD) kit is an accessory system for the M4A1 carbine, CQBR, FN SCAR Mk 16/17, HK416 and other weapons used by United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) special forces units, though it is not specific to SOCOM. The kit allows US Special Operations Forces personnel to configure their weapons to individual preferences and customize for different mission requirements.
United States Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) is a component command of the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) that comprises the Marine Corps' contribution to SOCOM. Its core capabilities are direct action, special reconnaissance and foreign internal defense. MARSOC has also been directed to conduct counter-terrorism and information operations.
The Romanian Special Operations Forces Command is the special forces command of the Romanian Army formed on 01 March 2018 from the former 6th Special Operations Brigade. The Special Forces Command is headquartered in Târgu Mureș, and it is the structure through which the Chief of the General Staff exercises the control over all Special Forces units.
The 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) (5th SFG (A), 5th Group) is one of the most decorated active duty United States Army Special Forces groups. The 5th SFG (A) saw extensive action in the Vietnam War and played a pivotal role in the early months of Operation Enduring Freedom. 5th Group is designed to deploy and execute nine doctrinal missions: unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense, direct action, counter-insurgency, special reconnaissance, counter-terrorism, information operations, counterproliferation of weapon of mass destruction, and security force assistance.
The 820th Base Defense Group is the United States Air Force's only first-in, fully-integrated, world-wide deployable, base defense capability currently based at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. The BDG was re-activated in 1997 and is composed of three rapidly-deployable Base Defense Squadrons, and the 820th Combat Operations Squadron. Each multi-functional BDS contains security forces, intelligence, EOD, engineering, communications, medical, logistics, and administration personnel able to operate with limited support from other deployed forces, as part of the Department of Defense's Immediate Response Force (IRF). Currently, the 820th BDG has been placed under Air Combat Commands only lead wing. The unit is trained and equipped to perform joint forceable entry, RANGER, Jungle, Arctic, Mountain, Pathfinder, SAPPR, FRIES/SPIES, Sniper Support, airfield security assessments, base defense, area defense, mobile defense, and C2 of defense forces for one large base or several small sites. Additionally, the squadrons can link with other integrated defense or initial entry/base seizure forces and provide a secure and smooth transition to airfield opening forces.
Task Force ODIN, whose name is an acronym for observe, detect, identify, and neutralize, is a United States Army aviation battalion created in August 2006 to conduct reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition (RSTA) operations to combat insurgent operators of improvised explosive devices in Iraq.
In US military doctrine, unconventional warfare is one of the core activities of irregular warfare. Unconventional warfare is essentially support provided by the military to a foreign insurgency or resistance. The legal definition of UW is:
Unconventional Warfare consists of activities conducted to enable a resistance movement or insurgency to coerce, disrupt or overthrow an occupying power or government by operating through or with an underground, auxiliary or guerrilla force in a denied area.
Task Force K-Bar, originally the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-South (CJSOTF-South), was led by the United States and composed of special operations forces from seven countries. It undertook the first major ground deployment in the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), operating from October 2001 to April 2002.
The United States Special Operations Command is the unified combatant command charged with overseeing the various special operations component commands of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force of the United States Armed Forces. The command is part of the Department of Defense and is the only unified combatant command created by an Act of Congress. USSOCOM is headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.
The Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, commonly known as the Special Operations Forces, are strategic-level special forces under the Special Operations Forces Command of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. It is also a structural and an independent unit of the Armed Forces.
The Advanced Target Pointer / Illuminator / Aiming Light, ATPIALAN/PEQ-15 known colloquially as the "PEQ-15" [] produced by L3Harris ; is a multifunction IR Target Pointer & Illuminator, a.k.a. a Laser Aiming Module (LAM) for use as a rifle attachment, using a Picatinny rail mounting system.