Off-Axis Viewing Device (OAVD)
Collaboration
- Date:
- 18 November, 2008
Soldiers involved in urban warfare operations are at higher risk of receiving a bullet or fragment wound to the head or face compared to other parts of the body. One reason for this vulnerability is the need for the soldier to expose their head when looking and shooting from behind cover.
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- Off-Axis Viewing Device (OAVD)
To help prevent such injuries, DSTO developed a new capability for rifle sights that eliminates the need for soldiers to expose themselves to enemy fire – the Off-Axis Viewing Device (OAVD). The device, a small arms attachment that integrates with the weapons sighting system, enables the soldier to scan and engage targets from a position of cover.
DSTO has achieved a restricted global market of certified end users for the OAVD by licensing the technology to Swedish company, Aimpoint.
Aimpoint, the originator of the red dot rifle sighting technology, was seen to be a prime candidate for the technology licence, having achieved sales of its military scope in the order of hundreds of thousands over the last couple of years. In addition, the ADF has been successfully using the OAVD as an attachment to the Aimpoint optical scope.