The TWS can toggle between two fields-of-view with a minimum magnification of 4x zoom[CfgWp 1][Formula 1] or a maximum of 10x zoom.[CfgWp 2][Formula 2] It can switch between three modes of operation: "normal" day vision, and white-/black-hot thermal.[CfgWp 5][CfgWp 6] It allows for manual zeroing adjustments starting from a minimum of 100 m up to a maximum of 1,200 m.[CfgWp 3]
On top of providing infrared vision for the user, it also has an integrated laser rangefinder that can be used to near-instantaneously calculate the distance to a target.[CfgWp 7]
The TWS reticle simply uses a crosshair-dot that isn't tailored for any specific calibre. Due to its lack of BDC markings, this limits its usefulness on long-range weapons like sniper rifles, therefore it is better suited to assault rifles and marksman rifles instead. Alternately, its separate MG variant can be used instead as it is intended for use on machine guns and mostly fulfils the same role.
It should be noted that attaching the TWS onto a weapon will increase its inertia penalty by +0.2.[CfgWp 8]
AI[]
NOTE:The information in this section only applies to the AI.
The TWS does not have an optical sight classification.[1] If the weapon is configured with AI-only firemodes[2], AI units utilise the same firemodes as human players as well as any firemodes that do not have an optics restriction. However, they will not have access to close (type 0), medium (type 1) or far (type 2) range firemodes.[3]
Trivia[]
The TWS is based on the real-life "LILY TWS", a family of thermal weapon sights made by Elbit Systems of Israel.
More specifically it is based on the "LILY-S" variant, a lightweight model that was designed for use on assault rifles and other short-range weapons.[4]
TWS optics were not originally available in the Alpha and were only added in the Beta's final patch (coinciding with ArmA 3's full launch as part of Game Update 1.00).[5]
The information below details unused, pre-release or removed content.
Unused third TWS "Sniper" reticle.
In the game's full release, there are only two versions of the TWS: the baseline scope and the TWS MG. However, an unused reticle for what could have been a third variant still exists within the game's files.
Based on the texture's filename and its appearance, it would have supposedly been a dedicated version for sniper rifles. Unlike its baseline and MG variants, the reticle uses mildots as opposed to a simple crosshair/BDC markers.[6]
A config entry for this third variant's interface (when viewed in first person) also remains unused within the game's configuration files.[7]
