Laser pointers are useful for helping squad members identify their targets to other friendly units, and for coordinating precision fire by pinpointing specific targets to attack.
However, caution must be exercised when using laser pointers against an enemy force who also possess access to night vision equipment. Even in poor weather conditions, projected infrared beams are easy to spot from afar and will give away the user's position.
Following the release of ArmA 2'sOperation Arrowhead expansion pack, most assault rifles and certain specialist weapons are fitted with laser pointers on their rails. Laser pointers are usually mounted onto the top, side or underbarrel positions.
They are exclusively used by BLUFOR and INDFOR factions only. By default, no REDFOR factions have access to laser sight-fitted weapons.
Platforms that feature laser sights fitted onto their rails include:
Depending on the weapon, the laser pointers in ArmA 2 are modelled after the "AN/PEQ-2 TPIAL" to the "AN/PEQ-15 APTIAL". Both are designed by subsidiaries of L3 Technologies: L3 Insight Technology and EOTech (respectively).
The XM8 family introduced in Private Military Company is unique for being the only weapon platform in the entire series that features an integrated laser sight. This is because the real-life "Integrated Sighting Module" used by the XM8 family is a red dot/telescopic sight that is combined together with a laser aiming module.[1]
Initially, ArmA 2's M4A1s and M16A4s which featured laser pointers fitted onto their rails were not actually capable of toggling their laser beams. Even after the release of Operation Arrowhead, non-OA weapons were not given the ability to activate the laser pointers.
Changes were only introduced after the Community Configuration Project and CorePatch updates, which overhauled the models of both platforms and made them fully functional.[2]
Gallery[]
ArmA 3[]
In ArmA 3, only one type of laser pointer is available. It is no longer exclusive to BLUFOR/INDFOR factions and is also available to REDFOR factions.
Unlike in ArmA 2, all weapons that possess a usable side rail can have laser pointers fitted thanks to ArmA 3's dynamic weapon accessory system:
ADR-97 TR/ADR-97C TR bullpup submachine guns (5.7 mm; not applicable on baseline ADR-97s)
The AK-12 series of modular rifles (7.62 mm; all variants)
Functionally, the ArmA 3 laser pointer bears no functional difference from its predecessor. It still projects a simple infrared beam in the direction that the weapon is pointed at.
The only difference is that because night vision equipment is readily accessible to all factions, their usefulness has fallen off quite sharply. Unless absolutely necessary, laser pointers shouldn't be activated in the middle of combat as they will easily expose the shooter's position to other humans.
Trivia[]
The IR Laser Pointer in ArmA 3 is based on the real-life "Dual Beam Aiming Laser - Advanced2" designed by Steiner Defense.
However, unlike the real DBAL-A2, the in-game IR Laser Pointer lacks the ability to toggle between a visible red/green laser, nor is it able to switch on an infrared illuminator.[3]
The information below details unused, pre-release or removed content.
Pre-Alpha promotional screenshot with tan/sand IR Laser Pointers.
During the pre-Alpha phase of ArmA 3's development, promotional screenshots showed that there was originally intended to be at least one alternate camouflage scheme in the form of a desert tan/sand-coloured finish (rather than just black).
Unfortunately, the texture itself no longer remains in the game files. By the game's full release, the IR Laser Pointer would be limited to just the default black texture.
