>>using an optic device that gave him a clear view
It used to be, you could use the word "scope" in context with firearms, and the general public understood what you were talking about. In fact, they probably still do, but reporters at the AP aren't the general public.
I dunno FP
The aiming widget on the Styker 50 cal sure is not a scope.
I'd *like* to believe our guys can get the best of the new stuff as well as the conventional....
The good Pvt Green may have had one of those new OCSW systems, which would handily explain both cooking off the cement truck and the Army's reluctance to talk about Pvt Greens position/weapon.
(
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/ocsw.htm)
Or a REDOWL (
http://www.techography.com/article.php?story=20051011093103406&mode=print) IRobot demonstrated the system, called REDOWL (for Robot Enhanced Detection Outpost with Lasers), at the Association of the United States Army convention in Washington yesterday. Testers struck pieces of metal to simulate gunshots. REDOWL quickly aimed its infrared camera and laser rangefinder at the source of the noise, just as it did in tests at a Medfield gun range.
Or... a 240G with a thermal sight (really likely)
well, I can dream can't I?
Just picking nits, but optics with magnification are generally termed scopes. The Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG) was initially an optic with no magnification. Even though they now make ACOGs with 2x and 4x magnification, the term optical sight still tends to be used. The military also uses other red dot or holographic optical sights besides ACOGs.