Initial variants of the AN/PEQ-16 were designated 'alpha' with an
A suffix, these initial devices were manufactured with an incandescent bulb for the white-light illuminator, while the newer
B 'bravo' model uses a white-light LED. Currently issued in the USMC, the AN/PEQ-16B helps to consolidate the number of attachments on the hand guards of infantry weapons, including the visible, and infrared lasers, an infrared illuminator, and a white-light illuminator for urban or dark environments where night vision devices may be impractical or not available. The PEQ-16 can be operated via a separate pressure pad or an integrated button pad. The PEQ-16 combines the functions of the previous PEQ-15 with a visible white-light illuminator. The PEQ-16 shares a number of features with the PEQ-15 including: waterproof polymer construction, integrated thumbscrew mount, providing a strong and repeatable lockup on M1913 (Picatinny) rails; a similar top-mounted mode selection dial. The PEQ-16 has a number of different modes of operation, including: IR Laser, IR Illuminator, Visible Laser, Visible Light. The lasers and illuminator are co-aligned and assembled into a single rotary module allowing single adjustment zeroing, with the ability to change the size of the IR Illuminator beam. The Visible light is located on the opposite side to the laser module, but cannot be activated with the laser in order to prevent white light discharge, and pollution. As part of the
M27 IAR rollout in 2011, a number of standard accessories were chosen to be included with every M27, including an AN/PEQ-16 to allow for improved night and day operations. == Operation ==