EOTECH has announced the HWS CUAS (Counter Unmanned Aircraft Sight), a new holographic weapon sight purpose-built for rapid engagement of both stationary and moving unmanned aircraft. The platform arrives as small, low-cost drones proliferate globally and present documented threats to military installations, personnel, and critical infrastructure. Available in two configurations, EXPS3 and XPS3, the CUAS features a sophisticated aiming reticle designed specifically around drone engagement geometry.
The aiming reticle employs a primary center dot with fractured outer circles to enhance target acquisition on stationary aircraft. For moving targets, the design incorporates lead references that function as intuitive holds at multiple distances. According to EOTECH’s engineering documentation, a user engaging a drone crossing at 30 mph in a 90-degree path would position the inner left or right dot on the aircraft at 50 meters and use the outer chevrons for engagement at 90 meters.
Todd Estes, VP of Engineering for EOTECH, emphasized the technical rationale for holographic rendering: “Holography is essential when designing large pattern reticles. The CUAS reticle is achieved through complex and often expensive unconventional optics to correct for parallax error and other aberrations. The holographic solution ensures that all the potential aiming points stay in focus at the target position regardless of the size and shape of the reticle. Holographic optical elements provide a wider field of view and unrecognizable parallax compared to conventional lenses.”
The EXPS3 model features side-mounted buttons suited to use with night-vision systems or magnifiers, an adjustable and lockable quick-detach lever for simplified mounting and removal, and provides lower 1/3 co-witness with iron sights. The XPS3 configuration offers true co-witness height, rear-mounted buttons, and a 7/64-inch hex crossbolt for permanent mounting solutions. Both models mount to Weaver or MIL-STD-1913 rails.
EOTECH HWS CUAS Specifications:
- Models: EXPS3, XPS3
- Dimensions (EXPS3): 3.8″ L × 2.3″ W × 2.6″ H (96.5 × 58.4 × 65 mm)
- Dimensions (XPS3): 3.8″ L × 2.1″ W × 2.5″ H (96.5 × 53.3 × 64 mm)
- Weight (EXPS3): 11.2 oz (317.5 g)
- Weight (XPS3): 9.0 oz (255 g)
- Mount: 1″ Weaver or MIL-STD-1913 rail
- Water Resistance: 33 feet (10 meters) depth rating
- Brightness: 20 daylight settings, 10 night-vision settings (NV-compatible model)
- Zero Adjustments: 0.5 MOA per click
- Power Source: 1 × CR123 battery
- Battery Life: 1,000 continuous hours at nominal setting 4 (room temperature)
- Reticle Design: Primary center dot with fractured outer circles, lead references for crossing engagements at 50m and 90m distances
- Manufacturing Origin: USA (Plymouth, Michigan)
The HWS CUAS model is so new it’s not yet on EOTech’s website: https://www.eotechinc.com/
Have you worked with drone-specific engagement platforms in operational contexts, and if so, how did reticle geometry affect your targeting speed and hit probability?
