When the Army, Navy, and Air Force went with a red dot optic, the Marine Corps went with the Trijicon ACOG fixed power magnified optic because we always have to be different.
About a year ago, the Marine Corps decided to replace its fixed power magnified optic with an LPVO (Low Power Variable Optic).
The LPVO the Marine Corps chose is the Trijicon VCOG 1-8×28 SCO. Trijicon has now made this optic commercially available.
"Our warfighters deserve the very best equipment in defense of our nation. The Marine Corps’ SCO evaluation process was extremely rigorous, and we are honored that the VCOG was selected to continue the tradition of battle-proven riflescopes that the Trijicon ACOG began in 2004 as the Marine Corps’ first Rifle Combat Optic," said Stephen Bindon, Trijicon President & CEO.
Interoperability. The Squad Common Optic device should be interoperable with and cause no degradation in function to currently fielded host weapons. Squad Common Optic should be compatible with current visual augmentation systems, weapons accessories, lasers, and clip-on night vision devices using a MIL-STD-1913 rail interface as listed below: [Thermals, PEQs, GL Sights, Range Finders]
Major Components. Each Squad Common Optic should include the following major components
Day Scope
Lens Covers
Reticle
Elevation Turrets/Caps
Windage Turrets/Caps
Operator’s Manual (hard and digital copy)
Quick Reference Guide
Required Tools
Scope Mount
Reticle Battery
Magnification Change Device
Soft Protective Carrying Case
Lens Cleaning Kit with Bush and Lens Cloth
Weight. The Squad Common Optic should be less than or equal to 2.1 pounds (T), 1.4 pounds (O). Weight is characterized as including the optic, mount, turret caps, and battery.
Size. The Squad Common Optic length should be less than or equal to 10.5 inches (T), 10 inches (O). Length excludes the lens covers. Length is measured at the maximum extended range of adjustment. The Squad Common Optic should be able to positively identify and acquire targets at 600m (T), 900m (O). Positive identification refers to the range at which a potential target can be positively identified by facial, clothing, weapon and vehicle features, or an activity.
Magnification Range. The Squad Common Optic should have no point of aim shift when adjusting through the entire magnification ranges. The Squad Common Optic should have a magnification range of 1X +0.05X to ≥8X magnification range.
Adjustable diopter: The diopter should be adjustable from +2 to –2 diopters.
Diopter Locking Mechanism. A locking mechanism should be provided on the diopter setting to prevent inadvertent movement (O).
Adjustment Range. For all configurations, at least 15 Milliradian (mrad) (T), and 30 mrad (O) in Elevation and at least 12 mrad in Windage adjustment should be required. There should be hard stops at both ends of Windage and Elevation adjustment and no dead clicks. A dead click is defined as a tactile adjustment click that does not move the reticle.
Adjustment Increments. Each Squad Common Optic configuration should have adjustment increments less than or equal to 0.1 mrad Elevation and Windage (E/W). Adjustment increments on both E/W should be consistent in movement, tactile, and have no dead clicks and require no settling rounds. Settling rounds are defined as host weapon live fire that causes the reticle to move initially but stabilize after the live fire event.
Adjustment Accuracy. For Squad Common Optic, a less than or equal to 2% adjustment accuracy is required across the full travel in Windage and Elevation (T) and a less than or equal to 1% adjustment accuracy is required across the full travel in Windage and Elevation (O).
Windage/Elevation Caps. For Squad Common Optic, the Windage and Elevation turret adjustments should be covered with a threaded cap.
Field of View. At minimum magnification, possess a minimum field of view of 18 degrees (T), 20 degrees (O). At maximum magnification, possess a minimum field of view of 2.5 degrees (T), 3 degrees (O).
Eye Relief. All Squad Common Optic configurations at any magnification should have an eye relief of at least 3.1 inches (T), 3.7 inches (O).
Exit Pupil. All Squad Common Optic configurations at any magnification should have an exit pupil range of no less than 2.5mm to no more than 13mm.
Resolution. The resolution for the Squad Common Optic should be 10 arc-seconds or less. The 30% contrast resolution for the Squad Common Optic should be 15 arc-seconds or less.
Focus/Parallax Adjustment. The Squad Common Optic should have a fixed focus set at 150 meters ± 50 meters and be parallax free at the focus range.
Focal Plane. Configurations should be first focal plane and/or second focal plane.
Reticles.
All Squad Common Optic reticle configurations should offer Mil-Reticle patterns vice a Bullet Drop Compensator (BDC) style of reticle pattern.
All Squad Common Optic reticle configurations should offer an illuminated central aiming point no greater than 1.5 minute of angle (MOA) (T) or 0.5 MOA (O) that is visible during daylight conditions.
All Squad Common Optic configurations should offer a variety of reticles (i.e., crosshair, German, duplex, Christmas tree, others).
All reticles should be level with a cant of ± 1 degree (T) or no discernable cant (O) when installed in its MIL-STD-1913 compatible mount.
Reticle should be usable in the event of degraded capability or no power situation.
The vendor should allow for future reticle designs and operational needs to be included in the Squad Common Optic: Mil-Dot, Milliradian Line, Ballistic, Velocity, and Grid hybrids. The graduated grid should provide a method that supports the ability to use Windage hold-offs and Elevation holds and holdovers accurately. There should also be coarse and fine methods to quickly range targets. A method to allow for rapid engagement of moving targets should be provided on the main horizontal.
Configuration. There should be no changes to the Squad Common Optic design when changing to a new reticle other than the reticle itself.
Reticle Illumination. The reticle illumination should be accomplished using side-mounted rotary knobs. The Squad Common Optic should have multiple intensity settings, two night vision goggle compatible settings, and tactile illumination off positions after each on position. Reticle settings should be able to be locked in place to provide for inadvertent power cycling in the field.
The reticle should be powered by a single commercially available battery for at least 96 hours at the highest illumination setting. The Squad Common Optic should allow for battery changes without removal from the weapon and without specialized tools.
Scope Mount. All scope mounts should be MIL-STD-1913 compatible. Various scope mount heights should be available. Any dissimilar metals should not interact and cause corrosion or damage when subjected to salt water and other adverse environmental conditions.
Magnification Change Capability. The Squad Common Optic should incorporate an attachable (T) or integrated (O) field-adjustable magnification change capability that will allow quick magnification changes from minimum to maximum magnification without passing between the eyepiece and rail interface, hitting the host weapon, or interfering with the function of the host weapon.
Backup Iron Sights. The Squad Common Optic shall not require the removal of the host weapon’s front and rear iron sights. The front and rear iron sights shall be immediately useable upon removal of the Squad Common Optic.
Lens Accessories and Protection. All Squad Common Optic configurations should be delivered with detachable protective front and rear lens covers or caps. The Squad Common Optic should feature lenses made of durable scratch-resistant hydrophobic material and non-reflective lens coatings (T). All Squad Common Optic configurations should provide lenses with sufficient abrasion resistance that they do not require lens covers (O).
Surfaces. External surfaces (except for light-transmitting elements) should be finished in a flat neutral non-black color that is non-reflective and corrosion resistant. All the exposed optics should have corrosion and scratch-resistant coatings, which permit operation in salt sprays and blowing sand. All markings, coatings, finishes, and exposed O-rings should be resistant to paints solvents, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear contaminants, and Super Tropical Bleach (STB) decontaminant.
Signature Reduction and Counter Detection. The Squad Common Optic should be a dull, non-reflective, neutral, non-black color. The Squad Common Optic should not have an audible or visible signature.
Workmanship. All optics should be free of foreign matter such as dirt, fingerprints, dust, loose material, and moisture. All moving parts should move freely and not bind, creep, or stick.
Markings
All Squad Common Optics should be etched or engraved with visually distinct markings to include the serial and model number to be easily read.
The serial and model number should be sequential, unique, and easily visible when mounted to the weapon (T).
All Squad Common Optics should have point-of-impact adjustment markings and witness marks on the scope body and scope mount for scope alignment.
The Squad Common Optic serial number and manufacture date must comply with MIL-STD-130_.
Point of impact (POI) adjustment markings should be on the scope body near the Windage and Elevation adjustments.
The witness marks should allow the operator to quickly and easily align and level the scope and scope mount to within ± 1 degree.
Labels should incorporate a Unique Identification (UID) code. The UID should contain both the 2D barcode and human readable serial number together. UID construct #2 will be required.
The Squad Common Optic should not have any original equipment manufacturer (OEM) proprietary markings.
From Trijicon
Trijicon®, Inc., a global provider of innovative aiming solutions for the hunting, shooting, military, and law enforcement markets is excited to introduce the addition of a commercially available version of the Variable Combat Optical Gunsight (VCOG) 1-8×28 Squad Common Optic.
This new variant is functionally identical to the current United States Marine Corps Squad Common Optic (SCO) VCOG with only minor cosmetic changes to external laser-etched markings. The body is forged from 7075-T6 aircraft aluminum-alloy to meet the rigorous demands of duty. Offering a true 1x power, the versatile magnification range is effective for both CQB and longer-range applications.
The VCOG 1-8×28 SCO features tethered turret covers, Tenebraex® flip caps, integrated base, and LaRue Tactical® LT799 mount, eliminating the need for separate rings to provide rock-solid quick-detach mounting to any rail system while maintaining zero. As part of the development, MIL-STD-810G testing protocols were followed to deliver a nearly indestructible sighting system.
A first focal plane reticle allows users of the VCOG 1-8×28 SCO to rapidly estimate range and apply the correct hold throughout the magnification range. The illuminated red segmented circle MRAD tree reticle requested by the USMC offers 35 MRAD total travel in windage and elevation for any rifle platform or chambering. Illumination is powered by a single AA lithium battery with 11 user-adjustable settings: 2-night vision and 9-day settings, including 1 super-bright setting.
Trijicon VCOG lenses are all fully multi-coated with broadband anti-reflective coatings. This maximizes light transmission while exceeding the military’s requirements for abrasion resistance. The multi-coated lenses provide outstanding clarity and light transmission with zero distortion, making the VCOG ideal for combat and hard-duty applications.
For more information on the Trijicon VCOG 1-8×28 SCO and the complete array of Brilliant Aiming Solutions for the hunting, shooting, military, and law enforcement markets, contact Trijicon, Inc. at (248) 960-7700 or visit Trijicon.com.
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