The new target for every Sniper, Designated Marksman, Machine gunner, etc...on IFVs...

One side effect on the near universal acceptance that unmanned turrets are the way to go?

Snipers, Designated Marksmen, Machine Gunners, even Grenadiers have new targets...and ways to disable enemy IFVs and Tanks.

Those optic are going to be prime targets.

It wouldn't surprise me if they aren't already working on miniature lasers (think laser pointer sized but more powerful) to fry  them.  Future standard infantry loadout?  300 rounds of 5.56mm ammo and a laser pointer!

The more things change, the more they stay the same.  Once infantry was told to pepper armored vehicles with small arms fire so that it would cause the crew to button up, lessening their situational awareness.  Now?  Infantry will be told to pepper armored vehicles with small arms fire so that it will cause the crew to get heads up, lessening their situational awareness/targeting ability.

Wow.

Sidenote.  I just had the craziest idea ever.  What if someone super charged paint ball guns with the sole purpose of disabling optics?  I can see it now.  Suddenly part of every vehicle kit is paint remover!