Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

2014 Military Review - DARPA showed off self guided 50 caliber sniper rounds
nextbigfuture.com ^ | December 29, 2014 | Staff

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.


TOPICS: Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: 2014review; ammo; military; sniper; weapons
Video at link......................
1 posted on 12/30/2014 2:02:03 PM PST by Red Badger
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

A smart-bullet.


2 posted on 12/30/2014 2:03:07 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum (Black lies matter. 'White privilege' is dog-whistle for 'kill white people.')
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger
Toonville beat them to it.


3 posted on 12/30/2014 2:11:00 PM PST by USFRIENDINVICTORIA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

THAT’S why I keep missing. Someone is hacking my rounds.


4 posted on 12/30/2014 2:18:55 PM PST by CrazyIvan (I lost my phased plasma rifle in a tragic hovercraft accident.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger
Boom!

5 posted on 12/30/2014 2:29:11 PM PST by GBA (I feel this "end times" thrill running up my leg!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger
Life imitates art - kinda.

The 1984 Sci-Fi movie "Runaway, with Tom Selleck (good guy) and Gene Simmons (bad guy) featured a gun that fired heat-seeking bullets"

6 posted on 12/30/2014 2:46:35 PM PST by Oatka (This is America. Assimilate or evaporate.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

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.


7 posted on 12/30/2014 2:58:53 PM PST by justlurking (tagline removed, as demanded by Admin Moderator)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger
Man, from what I understand, theses days the poor grunts have to account for every round they are issued.

Can you imagine what the paperwork will be for these megabuck rounds?

8 posted on 12/30/2014 3:39:50 PM PST by doorgunner69
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger; All

9 posted on 12/30/2014 4:10:22 PM PST by Rodamala
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oatka

...and we thought “proximity” rounds were hot in WW2...


10 posted on 12/30/2014 5:24:30 PM PST by Does so (SCOTUS Newbies Imperil USA...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: justlurking
wondering how the optical guidance works

Before even that - how do they overcome rifling?

Have to use smoothbore rifles?

11 posted on 12/30/2014 5:43:32 PM PST by grobdriver (Where is Wilson Blair when you need him?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Rodamala

Somehow, I get the feeling that geek could not possibly pick that mess up.


12 posted on 12/30/2014 10:45:32 PM PST by doorgunner69
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson