The US Army is in the process of testing new “smart rifle” scopes that seek to improve shooter accuracy, through technology that lets the user plant a virtual tag on their target to allow for better tracking. We here at EP were so impressed when we first heard about the TrackingPoint rifle that we gave its creators a nice, shiny trophy. (HPL)
According to these reports, specialists will be testing out six TrackingPoint rifles, which use cutting edge technology to eliminate problems such as trigger jerk, range miscalculation and any accidental firing. Even if pressed, the trigger will not fire unless the target is correctly sighted, with the user tracking that target through the virtual tag they can place and view through the weapon’s scope.
On its own that’s impressive technology, but TrackingPoint rifles also have a Linux computer built in which can calculate 16 different variables for the shooter, such as wind direction, how a bullet will spin or drift, and the surrounding temperature.
According to the Texas-based company, their scope has five times the first-shot success rating of traditional weapons, at any distance up to 1,200 yards. In addition to the weapon, its accompanying app is capable of streaming live video to a smart device from the scope’s “heads-up display,” so others can monitor the virtual tags placed by the solider.
Military officials are supportive of the technology but say that the human element is still essential—TrackingPoint will not going to turn every soldier into a first-class sniper.
“It is not going to create 'super snipers,'” said Rusi think tank member Peter Quentin in a statement on BBC. “Because it still cannot do what is the truly smart aspect of their skills—a full assessment of weather and other conditions that will affect the flight of the bullet and therefore requires considerable calculation to determine adjustments to the aim.”
While the gun is primarily being considered for military use, civilian versions of the rifle can be purchased for between $10,000 to $27,000 US dollars.
We’ll have to see how the testing goes, but TrackingPoint definitely deserves the Inspiration Award we gave them. Let's hope the military agrees.
Source BBC
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