Certain aspects of a novel weapon sight system combine a direct view, a visible light video view, and an infrared (IR) video view mode. Each of the view modes may be viewed individually or simultaneously with one or more of the other view modes through a single viewing aperture. Further, the one or more view-modes may be provided while providing a bore-sighted reticle superimposed on the selected view. Further, the reticle may be powered separately from the video view electronics enabling use of the reticle regardless of the power status video view electronics.

Disclosed is an optical sight mount with an integrated aiming and illumination module. The optical sight mount is configured to position an optical sighting device (e.g., a reflex sight) on a firearm so that the optical sighting device can be used to aim the firearm at a target. The aiming and illumination module, also referred to as an optical module, includes an aiming laser and an illumination source. An example optical sight mount comprises a base configured for attachment to a firearm, a mounting interface configured so that an optical sighting device can be attached thereto, and an optical module configured to emit a type of aiming radiation and illumination radiation. The optical module is positioned between the base and the mounting interface of the optical sight mount.

A charging handle accessory has an upper portion with a pair of parallel, spaced-apart sidewalls connected at their upper extent. The upper portion is configured to be assembled over an upper portion of the charging slide. A lower portion has a pair of parallel, spaced-apart sidewalls connected at one end. Each of the sidewalls of the lower portion has a lip configured to engage a lower extent of the charging slide. A sliding connection is provided at the lower extent of the upper portion and the upper extent of the lower portion, wherein the upper and lower portions are coupled together in sliding relation. A fastener extends between the upper and lower portions to secure the upper and lower portions against sliding relative to one another and secure them on the charging slide of the firearm.

A charging handle accessory has an upper portion with a pair of parallel, spaced-apart sidewalls connected at their upper extent. The upper portion is configured to be assembled over an upper portion of the charging slide. A lower portion has a pair of parallel, spaced-apart sidewalls connected at one end. Each of the sidewalls of the lower portion has a lip configured to engage a lower extent of the charging slide. A sliding connection is provided at the lower extent of the upper portion and the upper extent of the lower portion, wherein the upper and lower portions are coupled together in sliding relation. A fastener extends between the upper and lower portions to secure the upper and lower portions against sliding relative to one another and secure them on the charging slide of the firearm.

An optical bench for supporting a reflex sight in a weapon-mounted sight assembly includes a reflex sight mounting portion having a first surface for receiving a reticle light source and a first reticle lens mounting arm spaced apart from a second reticle lens mounting arm. The first and second reticle lens mounting arms are attached to the reflex sight mounting portion and the first and second reticle lens mounting arms are configured to engage opposite sides of a reticle lens to support the reticle lens in an optical path of the reticle light source. The first and second reticle lens mounting arms are sufficiently resilient to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the reticle lens. In further aspects, a weapon sight assembly employing an optical bench and a method for manufacturing an optical bench are provided.

An optical bench for supporting a reflex sight in a weapon-mounted sight assembly includes a reflex sight mounting portion having a first surface for receiving a reticle light source and a first reticle lens mounting arm spaced apart from a second reticle lens mounting arm. The first and second reticle lens mounting arms are attached to the reflex sight mounting portion and the first and second reticle lens mounting arms are configured to engage opposite sides of a reticle lens to support the reticle lens in an optical path of the reticle light source. The first and second reticle lens mounting arms are sufficiently resilient to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the reticle lens. In further aspects, a weapon sight assembly employing an optical bench and a method for manufacturing an optical bench are provided.

A variable range compensating device, including at least some of a housing having an optical cavity defined at least partially within the housing, wherein the optical cavity extends from an incoming image aperture to an outgoing image aperture; and two or more reflective optical elements, wherein each reflective optical element is adjustably positioned within at least a portion of the optical cavity, and wherein adjustment of at least one of the reflective optical elements adjusts the reflective optical elements such that a target image entering the incoming image aperture is reflected by the reflective optical elements, so as to exit the outgoing image aperture at a determined offset.

A variable range compensating device, including at least some of a housing having an optical cavity defined at least partially within the housing, wherein the optical cavity extends from an incoming image aperture to an outgoing image aperture; and two or more reflective optical elements, wherein each reflective optical element is adjustably positioned within at least a portion of the optical cavity, and wherein adjustment of at least one of the reflective optical elements adjusts the reflective optical elements such that a target image entering the incoming image aperture is reflected by the reflective optical elements, so as to exit the outgoing image aperture at a determined offset.

A weapon system has an optical sight mounted to a weapon and a frame with a sight window that is configured to superimpose a reticle that is visible through the sight window in a first focal plane. An optoelectronic device is mounted to the weapon and includes an imager with a sensor array and a display device. An image processor is configured to receive image data captured by the sensor array and process the image data to generate a subset image that is received from a select region of the sensor array. The select region of the sensor array defines a second focal plane. A controller is configured to receive an input from an operator, and in response to the input, to select the select region of the sensor array for aligning the second focal plane with the first focal plane.

A weapon system has an optical sight mounted to a weapon and a frame with a sight window that is configured to superimpose a reticle that is visible through the sight window in a first focal plane. An optoelectronic device is mounted to the weapon and includes an imager with a sensor array and a display device. An image processor is configured to receive image data captured by the sensor array and process the image data to generate a subset image that is received from a select region of the sensor array. The select region of the sensor array defines a second focal plane. A controller is configured to receive an input from an operator, and in response to the input, to select the select region of the sensor array for aligning the second focal plane with the first focal plane.