AN/PEQ-16 explained

Function:Infrared Target Laser & Illuminator
Wars:GWOT
Russo-Ukraine War
Designer:Insight Technology
Ir Las Class:IIIR (Low), IIIB (High)
Ir Las Output:Low: 0.6 mW
High: 25 mW
Ir Las Divergence:0.5 mrad
Ir Las Wavelength:(840 ± 20 nm)
Ir Las Range:Low: >6000NaN0
High: 20000NaN0
Manufacturer:L3Harris
Variants:MIPIM AN/PEQ-16
Vis Las Class:IIIB
Vis Las Output:4.0 mW
Vis Las Divergence:0.5 mrad
Vis Las Wavelength:(635 ± 30 nm)
Vis Las Range:>250NaN0 in direct sun
Ir Illum Class:IIIB
Ir Illum Output:Low: 3.5 mW
High: 30 mW
Ir Illum Divergence:1–105 mrad (Adjustable lens)
Ir Illum Wavelength:(840 ± 20 nm)
Ir Illum Range:Low: >6000NaN0
High: 20000NaN0
Dimensions:4.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on x 3.2abbr=onNaNabbr=on x 1.7abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Weight:9.9oz
Unit Cost:~$2,000 USD
MIPIM AN/PEQ-16
Service:2012 –
Lumens:125

The Mini Integrated Pointing Illumination Module (MIPIM) or AN/PEQ-16 manufactured by Insight/L3Harris is the successor to the AN/PEQ-15 which is the most widely used IR Laser Aiming Module (LAM) in the world.[1]

The MIPIM is designated using the Joint Electronics Type Designation System, and designated as: AN = Army/Navy. P = Portable. E = Laser. Q = Special or Combination.

The AN/PEQ-16 was introduced to the market in 2009,[2] where it began to replace the AN/PEQ-15 on US Marine Corps small arms. The PEQ-16 is a slightly different form-factor to the PEQ-15, being shorter, but larger overall. The most notable adopter of the AN/PEQ-16 as the standard infantry LAM was the United States Marine Corps (USMC) with the initial introduction of the M27 IAR to replace all M249 SAWs in USMC service, and then in 2017 the decision by the USMC Commandant for all Marine infantryman to field the M27.[3]

Design and Development

Initial variants of the AN/PEQ-16 were designated 'alpha' with an A suffix, these initial devices were manufactured with an incandescent bulb for the white-light illuminator, while the newer B 'bravo' model uses a white-light LED.

Currently issued in the USMC, the AN/PEQ-16B helps to consolidate the number of attachments on the hand guards of infantry weapons, including the visible, and infrared lasers, an infrared illuminator, and a white-light illuminator for urban or dark environments where night vision devices may be impractical or not available. The PEQ-16 can be operated via a separate pressure pad or an integrated button pad. The PEQ-16 combines the functions of the previous PEQ-15 with a visible white-light illuminator.

The PEQ-16 shares a number of features with the PEQ-15 including: waterproof polymer construction, integrated thumbscrew mount, providing a strong and repeatable lockup on M1913 (Picatinny) rails; a similar top-mounted mode selection dial. The PEQ-16 has a number of different modes of operation, including: IR Laser, IR Illuminator, Visible Laser, Visible Light. The lasers and illuminator are co-aligned and assembled into a single rotary module allowing single adjustment zeroing, with the ability to change the size of the IR Illuminator beam. The Visible light is located on the opposite side to the laser module, but cannot be activated with the laser in order to prevent white light discharge, and pollution.

As part of the M27 IAR rollout in 2011, a number of standard accessories were chosen to be included with every M27, including an AN/PEQ-16 to allow for improved night and day operations.

Operation

The AN/PEQ-16 is operated using a main mode selector dial located on the top of the unit, with 9 options, each mode corresponds to a single, or a dual combination of functions, these modes are detailed in the table below. Once the mode has been selected, the activation of the pressure pad activates the function selected. The unit has an inbuilt switch, but it also has a remote cable switch socket to allow for a remote pressure pad to be located elsewhere on the rifle.

DIAL POSITIONMODEDESCRIPTION[4]
AAIMVisible Aim Laser ON
LLIGHTWhite light Illuminator ON
DDUALVisible aim laser & White Light Illuminator ON
OOFFPrevents inadvertent laser burst
PProgramSets the desired IR pulse rate
ALAIM LOWIR Aiming Laser set to LOW
DLDUAL LOWIR Aiming Laser and Illuminator set to LOW
AHAIM HIGHIR Aiming Laser set to HIGH
DHDUAL HIGHIR Aiming Laser and IR Illuminator set to HIGH

Comparative Specifications

The table below show the specification of the AN/PEQ-16 (right) compared with the AN/PEQ-15.

AN/PEQ-15AN/PEQ-16
ManufacturerL3HarrisL3Harris
Dimensions117 × 71 × 41 mm / 4.6" × 2.8" × 1.6" (L×W×H)104 × 81 × 43 mm / 4.1" × 3.2" × 1.7" (L×W×H)
Weight7.5oz w/ battery9.9oz w/ battery
Power1× CR123A 3-Volt battery2× CR123A 3-Volt batteries
Battery Life>6 hours (in Dual High DH setting)4 hours Normal operation(≥ 30 mins of continuous white light use)
Waterproof6abbr=onNaNabbr=on for 1 hour6abbr=onNaNabbr=on for 1 hour
Visible Laser
ClassIIIRIIIR
Output5.0 mW4.0 mW
Divergence0.5 mrad0.5 mrad
WavelengthRed (635 ± 15 nm)Red (635 ± 30 nm)
RangeDay: >250NaN0Day: >250NaN0
IR Laser
ClassIIIR (Low), IIIB (High)IIIR (Low), IIIB (High)
OutputLow: 0.7 mW High: 27.5 mWLow: 0.6 mWHigh: 25 mW
Divergence0.5 mrad0.5 mrad
Wavelength(835 ± 15 nm)(840 ± 20 nm)
RangeLow: >6000NaN0High: 20000NaN0Low: >6000NaN0High: 20000NaN0
IR Illuminator
ClassIIIBIIIB
OutputLow: 3.5 mW High: 45 mW[5] Low: 3.5 mWHigh: 30 mW
Divergence1—105 mrad (Adjustable lens)1—105 mrad (Adjustable lens)
Wavelength(835 ± 15 nm) (840 ± 20 nm)
RangeLow: >6000NaN0High: 20000NaN0Low: >6000NaN0High: 20000NaN0
White Light Illuminator
Output PowerNone>125 lumens
TypeLED

Operators

Current Operators

Availability

As with most military technology and accessories produced in the U.S. infrared laser including the PEQ-16 is controlled by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and as such export is restricted without approval from the Department of State. Furthermore as an IR laser pointer of class IIIB, under FDA regulations, sales of the PEQ-16 are generally restricted to government and law enforcement agencies and units.[8] [9]

See Also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mini Integrated Pointing Illumination Module (MIPIM) L3Harris Fast. Forward. . 2024-02-17 . www.l3harris.com . en.
  2. Web site: 2010-04-10 . The AN/PEQ-16A is Coming - Soldier Systems Daily . 2024-02-17 . en-US.
  3. Web site: Pike . Travis . 2022-09-08 . Goodbye M16: A Look at the Modern Marine Infantry Rifle M27 . 2024-02-17 . www.pewpewtactical.com . en-US.
  4. Book: TC 3–22.9 Rifle and Carbine . 1 May 2016 . . 3–23 to 3–25 . en-US.
  5. Web site: AN/PEQ-15; ATPIAL Spec Sheet . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230226033722/https://www.l3harris.com/sites/default/files/2021-02/cs-ivs-an-peq-15-advanced-target-pointer-illuminator-aiming-laser-atpial-spec-sheet.pdf . 26 February 2023 . 2023-11-11 . l3harris.com.
  6. Web site: 2016-12-28 . Australian Army Adopts L-3 Squad Laser Range Finder – . 2023-11-23 . The Firearm Blog . en-US.
  7. Web site: New night fighting edge under the Ninox replacement – Australian Defence Magazine . 2023-11-23 . www.australiandefence.com.au . en.
  8. Web site: L3Harris MIPIM (AN/PEQ-16B) . 2024-02-19 . Tactical Night Vision Company . en-US.
  9. Health . Center for Devices and Radiological . 2018-11-03 . Important Information for Laser Pointer Manufacturers . FDA . en.