Alpha TARAC®

*REDACTED* 13+ years in United States Special Operations Command (USASOC) units.  Special Forces Sniper Course level 1 & 2 graduate. Extensive training and operational experience in CQB and long range sniper operations.

The Alpha was utilized for 6 months of operational experience while deployed to the *REDACTED* AOR.  Environmental conditions consisted of a mean ambient temperature of 109*F with extreme wind and dust conditions.  The unit was mounted on a M4 10.3″, 14.5″, and 16″ upper receiver groups (URG).  The 10.3″ URG optic consisted of an Aimpoint T-2 Micro, 14.5″ 1-6x ELCAN SPECTRE DR, and the 16″ URG utilized a Leupold Optics MK-6 3-18mm scope.  The Alpha TARAC integrated with each URG seamlessly.  While this was requested to be built for an M4 shooting 5.56mm, after using the unit after only a few hours, it was evident that it would be useful on any of the weapons systems a USASOC unit has (….) Ease of use also saves trainers time to train a young soldier on holdovers. No holdover is necessary.  Just flip it up and engage your target.  The Alpha TARAC will increase a unit’s hit probability beyond 300m (Army Standard Qual Range) guaranteeing greater successful target engagements.  The absolute best feature about this unit, is the ability to customize the unit for any added bias needed to meet operational requirements.

*REDACTED* 7+ years in United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC).  Special Forces Advanced Reconnaissance Target Analysis and Exploitation Techniques Course (SFARTAETC) graduate, grad of Special Operations Terminal Attack Controller Course (SOTACC), and Sensitive Site Exploitation Course.  

The Alpha TARAC was utilized during a *TIME REDACTED* months long deployment to the *REDACTED* AOR conducting direct action operations against a myriad of threat networks during both summer and winter months with operational temperatures dropping into the low teens with highs in the upper 90s to low 100s F (….) the Alpha TARAC was attached to a 14.5 standard SOCOM modified M4A1 with a Leupold LCO optic.  The secondary unit was placed upon a FN 240B 7.62 belt fed machine gun utilizing an ELCAN 6X fixed power optic (….) After a short time, it became increasingly apparent how easy and capable the system was to scale across the wide variety of SOCOM weapon systems.  The attractiveness of the system is in its simplicity.  With the operator simply having to mount the optic in front of their main optic system, it is ready to go (….) The TARAC provided greater ability for myself and adjacent indigenous/infantry enablers to engage enemy insurgents across distances greater than 300m and within 600m, utilizing point and shoot methodologies rather than complicated holdovers reliant upon range cards or extensive training.  The undoubtable reality of the TARAC optic is its ability to effectively and dramatically increase SOCOM units’ lethality and capability at extended ranges (….) by the lowest common denominator support soldier to a highly trained SOCOM operator is universal, and its ability to scale between weapon systems and individuals is invaluable.

*RANK REDACTED* USASOC

With a Razor 1-6x and EOTech with 3x magnifier and it nearly doubled hit probability past 400m (….) I took two new guys with little experience and (…) gave them a 30sec run down on how the prism worked then had them shoot the course of fire with and without the prism.  With the prism they hit more than twice as many targets (….) It is a very simple increase in performance.  Past 350m I had them just hold center with the prism and made hits to 500m (….) Everyone is significantly faster with the red dot at short range and we don’t really give up much at all with the Alpha out to 500m compared to the compromise of using a LVPO and being slower at short range.  This whole project has changed a lot about what we thought we knew about what the “best” optical setup is.  Hit probability was overall higher with the Alpha Tarac by about 25%, but beyond 400m it was the difference between hitting and not having a chance.  Both optics had a 50/200m zero to make it an apples to apples comparison.  Neither guy really knew how to use the Razor’s milliradian reticle so they were swagging holds (….) Using the Alpha Tarac and hold over instructions given before the course of fire started, both guys made hits to 603m.

*RANK REDACTED* 3RD Ranger Battalion Assaulter

Initially, I didn’t see much use for it on a carbine, as I knew all my mil holds to 800m with 5.56, 7.62 and WM.  I’m someone who hates BDC reticles in ACOGS and Elcans because I could get better hits with holds. I didn’t really see why I’d ever run a Alpha because it’s basically doing the same thing.  I switched to the Alpha on my personal gun about 9 months ago, and that was due to running a 1-6 vortex back to back with and without the Alpha on a UKD range from 25-500m.  I got a decent hit percentage without it, but it took me longer to eyeball the distance. With the Alpha, I just flipped it up when it looked too far and held center mass out to ~500, where I favored high on the target. [The Alpha] Improved my hit probability by about 30% and got me 1st round hits at 400+.  It is way more of an obvious difference on someone who doesn’t have dope memorized.. like night and day better (….) I then ran the same course with an Aimpoint T2 with a 3x magnifier (with the prism) and actually ended up with my fastest time, mainly due to the ability to switch mag quickly and do center holds without thinking about it.  Its honestly even more useful with thermals.  Mainly because (….) the ability to hold center takes a lot of the thought process out.  The end goal of the optic in general is to take out the guesswork.  Honestly, its never going to replace a qualified and proficient marksman.  I still don’t technically need a Alpha, I’m just faster with one, so I use it.

I took my squad out today to shoot them.  Had half shoot with and half shoot without to see the difference (….) the guys that shot without the Alpha had roughly 50% less rounds on target just using a normal hold.  Keep in mind the guys shooting the Alphas all had red dots with no magnification.  I’m incredibly impressed by this thing when I see my private and brand new tan drilling at 500.  It’s light (which is huge) and easy.  But the thing that sold me the most was being on the line and not in SNOT we can retain our CQB set up with the ability to keep that stand-off and effect targets when able.  How we don’t already have this is insane to me, honestly.

*REDACTED* AFSOC

The Alpha TARAC is designed to enhance a weapons max point-blank range on a 40-inch, E-type targets. With the Alpha TARAC any target exceeding 300 yards, and as far as 600 yards, is easily engageable without holdovers or range estimation. DAGREs would greatly increase hit probability guaranteeing greater successful target engagements in deployed environments. The Alpha TARAC also benefits DAGRES by being able to use it in all weapon platforms for any mission. Also, being light weight, compact, and requires no batteries making it easy to maintain in any environment.

*REDACTED*

“The Alpha Tarac from TACOM HQ is a game changer.  While the rules of skill > gear still apply, this is a product that will absolutely increase “combat effectiveness” by simply being added to your kit.”

*REDACTED* 18 years USMC.  Reconnaissance Marine, Scout Sniper, Combat Marksmanship Coach, 10 years LEO, local and federal, six deployments Iraq/Afghanistan, and USPSA and Precision Rifle Competitor.

Selection:

Understanding this technology can be difficult. In simple terms, prism technology provides a manual shift or “hold” in the sight picture (….) Max point-blank is a simplified method of aiming/target engagement by exploiting the maximum trajectory path of a round in flight out to a set distance (….) Selection of the proper Alpha TARAC is simplified by TACOM HQ via the use of a ballistics table available on the website (….)  It should also be noted that the same Alpha TARAC can be used for MULTIPLE rifle and ammunition configurations, including machine guns and various platforms with magnified optics. This really adds value and reduces costs to the end user. Purchasing one item that can fill multiple roles is a fantastic feature.

Mounting:

The Alpha TARAC does NOT require or negatively impact the zero of the primary aiming optic. It mounts in front of it and is ready to go.

Performance:

The targets used were standard IPSC size steel, 30” tall x 18.25” wide (….) While this is not practical for a 5.56 “battle rifle”, impacts within the practical distance of the weapon system (out to 500 yds) were simple to achieve the FIRST time using the Alpha TARAC.

Application/Employment:

The simplicity in the design is exceptional, especially with the ability to use maximum point blank. Both magnified optics and red dots can be used to effectively employ the concept after some instruction. Max point-blank is very useful in a near-peer environment when passive aiming must be done to avoid emitting laser energy that can be detected by enemy sensors.  The days of throwing LRF energy in the day and IR energy at night are over.  I also see the value in this device for assaulters who’s primary raid optic is a RDS, but still need to be able to prosecute targets at distance. This could occur during an offset insert to a target area, or defending a position after it is seized. The assaulter can simply attach the alpha TARAC and apply max point-blank holds.

Cost/Benefit:

The Alpha TARAC is relatively inexpensive, and takes very little time to learn (….) The benefit of being able to make hits at distance without having to remember holds increases the lethality of the shooter and shortens the kill chain.

Summary:

The Alpha TARAC is a simple, low profile, durable, and practical addition to a weapon system. I would highly recommend its addition to any person who employs a red dot optic past 300 yards. It is simple to use and simple to learn.

Fort Benning

“Yesterday, I took a squad size sample of OSUT trainees using the tacomHQ Alpha TARAC and I’m beyond impressed.  Once they figured out their holds on target, the 400-500 meter targets were successfully engaged within 1-2 rounds with the M4A1 with CCO (….) It’s dummy proof.  I had guys who never shot past 300 meters just flip up the Alpha and put rounds on target from 400-600 like it was nothing (….) I had guys at sniper school missing at 500 meters with a Mark 5 on a M110 (…) Seriously, it’s a simple piece of kit that doesn’t add any real weight to the gun, but gives you a simple way to hold on targets outside of 300.”