Gun sights improved for frontline marines.

The Marine Corps has entered into a multi-year contract for an advanced optical gun sight that allows troops to identify and kill targets up to 800 meters away. It has been adapted for the M16A2 and M16A4 rifles, and the M4A1 carbine.

Produced by Trijicon Inc. of Wixom, Mich., the gun sight will incorporate a dual illuminated, red chevron-shaped reticle and bullet drop compensator. For daytime shooters, a fiber optic system collects ambient light for brightness and controlled contrast. At night, the battery-free system relies on tritium illumination.

A spokesman said that the sight would permit a "both-eyes-open shooting method that greatly increases hit ratios in fast-moving, close quarter combat."