This is a great story of how soldier's needs in the field can be rapidly met by small, entrepreneurial companies:

During their deployment in Norther Iraq, Two soldiers from the 3/2 Stryker Brigade out of Ft. Lewis, WA sketched out the concept and requirements for an optical sight mount that would allow them to attach the EOTech holographic sights used on their M4 carbines to the .50 caliber machine guns mounted atop their HWMMV's. The idea being to improve their first-shot-on-target results, as well as improving the night vision capability of the weapon.

The unit had tried several rear-mount sight rails and discovered that for any but the shortest soldier, the use of a rear-mounted holosight required an awkward and uncomfortable hunching down position in the sling seat behind the weapon. To truly make the weapon sight work, the simplest solution was to move the entire sight forward over the conventional front iron sight.

Based on this requirement, these soldiers contacted a small manufacturing and development company based near Ft. Lewis. Eagle View Research Center, LLC with the assistance of Kenney Technologies, a product development company specializing in Military and Law Enforcement products, improved on the initial concept and developed the ATSS Multi-Rail sight mount system for the M2HB.



The ATSS sight mounts have been tested during six months of daily combat by members of the 3/2 Stryker Brigade, as well as independent testing by L3-EOTech, STS Security Products, Ltd. and the 81st BCT - Washington National Guard. Further additions to the product line include an extended mount for placing white lights and lasers forward of any ballistic shields and specialty adapters for mounting the Peak Beam white light illuminators.


Here is further information on the sight mount from our press release:

Shelton, Wash. - The Advanced Tactical Sighting Systems (ATSS™) Division of Eagle View Research Center, LLC introduces the first all-steel multi-rail sight mount for the M2HB .50 caliber heavy machine gun.

The ATSS-M2HB-1003 allows the simultaneous use of top-mounted holographic sights, side-mounted aiming lasers, visible and IR illuminators, and other accessories without interfering with the existing iron sights.

Mounting forward of the receiver, the M2HB-1003 mount provides multiple M1913 rail locations for the equipping of up to seven individual devices on the gun without interfering with existing ballistic shields. A fixed top rail and modular side rails encourage complete field customization of the sighting system for specific applications.

Soldier safety is enhanced by moving the mount and attached devices forward and away from where they can contact the gunner in the limited area of vehicle ring mounts, encouraging gunners to stay low in the vehicle, reducing risk from projectiles and debris.

The ATSS-M2HB-1003 is available to ship today in several configurations. For more information on the M2HB-1003 and other sight mount products, call ATSS at (360) 432-2339 or visit our website at http://www.atssmounts.com

Eagle View Research Center, LLC is a veteran-owned manufacturing and product development company dedicated to the rapid fielding of rugged, low cost equipment in support of military, law enforcement and outdoor recreation requirements.

Contact:
Lowell Kenney
ATSS Division - Eagle View Research Center, LLC
(360) 432-2339 Voice
(360) 432-0994 Fax
www.atssmounts.com
info@atssmounts.com

Atta boy Eagle view.

I've been working on an idea for
a female soldier's mobile field
latrine cover...it's a cammo skirt
with elastic band she can 'deploy'
to cover her privy's as she drops
her BDU. Avoids the full moon shine.

Go get em Eagle!