Engineers at JSC LOMO (part of the Kalashnikov concern) will soon present a prototype of the Maugli-2 thermal imaging sight for man-portable air defense systems. The key change is that the weight of the device has been halved. For MANPADS crews who carry the system on their shoulder, this is not just a technical adjustment, but a real reduction in load in the field.
In parallel with the weight reduction, the designers have enhanced the optics. Thanks to a modern thermal imaging matrix and a recalculated lens design, the sight can now see further and more clearly. This gives the anti-aircraft gunner additional time to detect the target, track it, and make a decision to fire – especially important when working with low-visibility UAVs, helicopters, and aircraft at extreme ranges.
"Maugli-2" retains all the functions of the basic version: 24/7 operation, automatic target tracking, and compatibility with standard MANPADS. The updated sight will undergo testing in the near future.