CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. —
Program Manager Ground Weapons Systems (PM GWS) within PAE Marine Corps began fielding the Squad Aiming Laser (SAL) to the School of Infantry-East at Camp Lejeune, N.C., July 27 and 28, 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.
Harry Mandeles, the project officer for the Optics Team at PM GWS, said the transition to SAL represents more than just a hardware update; it is a fundamental shift in how small units dominate the night.
“The NIR beam and illuminator clarity is a generational leap. Infantry Marines will notice significantly less eye strain and a much clearer target picture through their Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) compared to the legacy PEQ-16.” Harry Mandeles, the project officer for the Optics Team at PM GWS.
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.
“The biggest success with SAL was competitively awarding an IDIQ [Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity] contract, securing a higher-power laser in a package smaller than any laser in our inventory, and we did it at an extremely competitive price.”
As the Marine Corps continues to refine its Force Design initiatives, the fielding of the SAL ensures that the individual rifleman remains the most lethal element on the battlefield. With its digital interface, lightweight design, and superior optical clarity, the Squad Aiming Laser provides the precision necessary for the complex, low-light engagements of 21st-century warfare.
By Adam Vernon | Portfolio Acquisition Executive Marine Corps
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