Land Forces 2026: Leonardo DRS completes delivery of thermal sights to Australian Army
Leonardo DRS's INOD Block III clip-on thermal weapon sight is intended to enable long-range target acquisition and engagement. (Leonardo DRS)
Leonardo DRS has completed the delivery of its Improved Night/Day Observation Device (INOD) Block III thermal weapon sights to the Australian Army under the Land 159 Tranche 1 soldier modernisation programme, the company announced on 5 October.
The US-based defence technology company said the final deliveries and training activities marked the completion of its contribution to the first tranche of Land 159, which is providing Australian Defence Force personnel with new small arms, optics, ammunition, and associated systems.
Land 159 is a multi-phase Australian Army modernisation initiative intended to replace and upgrade individual weapons, optics, and soldier systems across the force. The programme has involved several international and local suppliers, including NIOA and its industry partners.
The INOD Block III is a clip-on thermal weapon sight designed for sniper and special operations roles. The system enables users to detect, identify, and engage targets in low-light and degraded visual environments, including darkness, smoke, haze, and adverse weather conditions.
According to Leonardo DRS, the sight mounts in front of an existing day optic, preserving the weapon's zero and supporting magnifications ranging from 5x to more than 25x.
“The INOD Block III provides a thermal sighting capability intended to support sniper operations in demanding conditions, and the training helps ensure personnel are prepared to operate and maintain the system,” Jerry Hathaway, senior vice-president and general manager of Leonardo DRS's Electro-Optical and Infrared Systems business unit, said.
The system incorporates a micro-cooled 640×480 mid-wave infrared focal plane array sensor, which the company said enhances thermal imaging and target discrimination when conventional optics are limited by environmental conditions.
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