DARPA’s latest advancement in military technology comes in the form of a “magic bullet,” or smart-bullet, that can change its trajectory mid-air and hit moving targets with an accuracy that elevates novice marksmen to the levels of seasoned sniper.
Dubbed the Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance (EXACTO), the .50-caliber self-steering bullet increases hit rates for difficult, long-distance shots by combining a “maneuvering bullet and real-time optical guidance system to track and deliver the projectile to the target,” explains DARPA without revealing too much information about the underlying technology. What we do know, however, is that EXACTO’s specially designed ammunition and guidance system autonomously compensate for weather, wind, target movement and other factors that can obstruct clear shots.
A recent video released by the agency demonstrates EXACTO’s deadly prowess, by showcasing how a veteran sniper aced a target that started moving after the shot was taken, followed by an untrained sniper performing the same feat.
DARPA program manager Jerome Dunn boasts that miniaturizing EXACTO’s level of guidance into a small .50-caliber rifle is a “major breakthrough and opens the door to what could be possible in future guided projectiles across all calibers.” A dangerous prospect indeed when considering the implication of self-guided bullets eventually falling into the hands of the black market.
Nevertheless, DARPA believes the technology is all in good measure, claiming that EXACTO will “improve sniper effectiveness and enhance troop safety by allowing greater shooter standoff range and reduction in target engagement timelines.”
Source: DARPA
Advertisement
Learn more about Electronic Products Magazine
