Ukrainian snipers equipped with advanced GPNVG and M110 SASS

Ukrainian special forces soldiers are outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment to maximize their effectiveness in operations. This high-grade gear also offers them the best chance of surviving their missions. In this article, we will delve into their typical arsenal.

An intriguing image surfaced online recently, featuring a Ukrainian sniper from a special unit kitted out with gear valued at several hundred thousand zlotys. His ensemble includes camouflaged attire, but the most striking aspects are the panoramic GPNVG night vision goggles and the M110 SASS rifle. This lethal combination is suited for engaging targets at distances exceeding 2624 feet, even during the night.

The GPNVG night vision goggles first caught public attention during Operation Neptune Spear in 2011, where they were used by the agents of the legendary SEAL Team Six to eliminate Osama bin Laden.

These unique night vision goggles are characterized by their four lenses, providing a field of view of up to 97 degrees - a significant improvement over standard models that typically feature a field of view between 40 and 50 degrees. Though synchronizing the image across four lenses posed a challenge, the engineers at L3 Harris successfully solved this issue. The two central lenses offer pupil distance adjustment, while the outer ones provide peripheral vision.

The GPNVG goggles also come equipped with a white phosphorus light amplifier, which does not produce the green afterglow common in photos taken with the more prevalent green phosphorus. Weighing in at 27 ounces, the goggles are powered by four CR123A batteries housed in a counterweight container, sufficient for about 30 hours of operation. A single pair of these goggles costs around $40,000 in American stores.

The rifle carried by the Ukrainian soldier in the image is an M110 SASS, supplied by the United States. Introduced in 2008, this design was inspired by American specialists' experiences with the SR-25. The launch of the M110 SemiAutomatic Sniper Rifle System (SASS), designed by Knights Armament Company (KAC), signified a noteworthy advancement - it started to replace the modified versions of the M14 rifle and the repeating M24 for snipers.

The M110 SASS is based on the AR-10 weapon family, chambered in 7.62x51 mm NATO (.308 Winchester), renowned for its approximated 1 MOA accuracy. MOA is used to evaluate a rifle's accuracy by measuring the maximum distances between bullet impacts. For instance, at a distance of 328 yards, the M110 SASS can repeatedly hit a target measuring 3.5 inches in diameter.

All these features are packed into a design weighing less than 15 pounds, inclusive of an optical sight and a 20-inch barrel length. Over time, however, the rifle's dimensions, slightly over a yard long without a silencer, invited criticisms. This lead to the announcement of the Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System (CSASS) program in 2012, to find a more compact solution. Ultimately, the HK G28 rifle, dubbed the M110A1, replaced some of the older M110 SASS models in 2016.

Most likely, these replaced units were sent to Ukraine, where they offer superior capabilities compared to modified M14, FN FAL, SWD, or HK G3 rifles. Interestingly, the civilian variants of the M10 SASS retail for about $30,000 in the USA.