What is Gunsight?

"Sights" redirects here. For the rock band, see The Sights.

A sight is an optical device used to assist aim by guiding the eye and aligning it with the weapon or other item to be pointed. Various forms of sights exist, such as iron sights, red dot sights, peep sights, and telescopic sights. For aircraft use there are also reflector sights and gyro gunsights.

Sights are used in firearms, artillery pieces, tank and aircraft weapons, and in various measurement instruments.

A theatrical followspot sight is used to aim the large spotlights used to follow the talent on stage during performances. They attach to the spotlight usually by magnets and are easily calibrated. They differ from rifle scopes in that they often provide zero magnification. The operator sees a red dot in the sight and "lays" it over the target to aim it.

Aircraft gunsights

Aircraft have some of the most complex gunsights.

Gyro Gunsight

In WWII, early P-51Ds were equipped with simple N-9 sights used light projected onto a glass. Later models were fitted with the sophisticated K-14 computing sight. Gyroscopes and magnetic electrical fields in the box were used with consideration of the speed of the projectiles, the speed and usual distance to the target. Data was reflected in images reflected on the glass, effectively calculating the target deflection. The pilot had to set the wingspan of the target, and use a throttle mounted control to keep the target centered. that made the pilot's hunting much easier. However, the pilot did have to set a knob to correspond with the wingspan of the enemy aircraft and, using a twist grip on the throttle handle, keep the foe centered in the circle of six diamond images and the center dot. I recall cutting into the cowl with a hacksaw to install one of these sights that was larger than the issue N-9.^[1]

Radar ranging gunsight

Korean war F-86 Sabres used radar to compute distance to the target, which proved as one of many decisive advantages to MiG-15s which in many way were the equal or better of the American fighters, but lacked this technology. Supersonic fighters such as the F-100 and its successor, the F-105 Thunderchief also were fitted with this technology. Nearly all MiG kills of the F-105 were scored with these gunsights. Ironically, the F-4 Phantom which was tasked with MiG patrol after heavy F-105 losses lacked an internal gun, and even when fitted with a gun pod, also lacked a dogfighting gunsight. The ultimate USAF version, the F-4E was based on adding an internal gun and gunsight. The succeeding "teen" generation fighters were all built with an internal gun and radar ranging gunsight, usually integrated with a heads-up display.

Notes

See also

• Iron sights
• Predicted impact point