Posted on 12/30/2014 2:02:03 PM PST by Red Badger
DARPA's Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance (EXACTO) program conducted the first successful live-fire tests demonstrating in-flight guidance of .50-caliber bullets in the spring of 2014. This video shows EXACTO rounds maneuvering in flight to hit targets that are offset from where the sniper rifle is initially aimed. EXACTO's specially designed ammunition and real-time optical guidance system help track and direct projectiles to their targets by compensating for weather, wind, target movement and other factors that could impede successful aim.
The EXACTO program is developing new approaches and advanced capabilities to improve the range and accuracy of sniper systems beyond the current state of the art.
The Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance (EXACTO) system seeks to improve sniper effectiveness and enhance troop safety by allowing greater shooter standoff range and reduction in target engagement timelines. The objective of the EXACTO program is to revolutionize rifle accuracy and range by developing the first ever guided small-caliber bullet. The EXACTO 50- caliber round and optical sighting technology expects to greatly extend the day and nighttime range over current state-of-the-art sniper systems. The system combines a maneuverable bullet and a real-time guidance system to track and deliver the projectile to the target, allowing the bullet to change path during flight to compensate for any unexpected factors that may drive it off course.
Technology development in Phase II included the design, integration and demonstration of aero-actuation controls, power sources, optical guidance systems, and sensors. The program’s next phase includes a system-level live-fire test and technology refinement to enhance and improve performance.
A smart-bullet.
THAT’S why I keep missing. Someone is hacking my rounds.
The 1984 Sci-Fi movie "Runaway, with Tom Selleck (good guy) and Gene Simmons (bad guy) featured a gun that fired heat-seeking bullets"
Very interesting, but am wondering how the optical guidance works.
Is it tracking an laser illuminated dot on the target? Or is it “riding the beam” projected by the shooter (or an adjacent spotter)?
Tracking a dot offers some interesting scenarios: a spotter doesn’t have to be anywhere near the shooter. It would be like a terminally-guided artillery shell.
Can you imagine what the paperwork will be for these megabuck rounds?
...and we thought “proximity” rounds were hot in WW2...
Before even that - how do they overcome rifling?
Have to use smoothbore rifles?
Somehow, I get the feeling that geek could not possibly pick that mess up.
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