US Army could add ‘smart scope’ to its new rifles which will only let soldiers fire if computer guarantees they will hit the target
- SMASH system uses a computer to determine if a shot is guaranteed to hit
- The technology uses a weapon-mounted optic and special pistol grip
- Shooter lines up their target in the scope or the technology does it for them
- Once the target is marked, the information is sent back to a computer
- The auto tracker system can be disabled for other types of shooting
The US Army is evaluating a new ‘smart scope’ for rifles that only fires when the software determines a ‘guaranteed shot’.
Using a weapon-mounted optic and special pistol grip, the shooter marks their target with a red rectangle using the scope, which is sent back to a computer that decides if it is a perfect shot.
Not only does the technology help the shooter with better accuracy, its main purpose is to cut down on stray bullets from hitting civilians in the area.
The shooter ‘acquires, locks on and engages targets’ using a weapon-mounted optic and special pistol grip.
If the Army decides to go ahead with the tech, it could be deployed in the field by 2023.
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Using a weapon-mounted optic and special pistol grip, the shooter marks their target with a little red rectangle using the scope, which is sent back to a computer that decides if the shot will hit
The rifle, called SMASH Fire Control System was developed in collaboration between Israeli-based Sig Sauer and Smart Shooter.
It is one submission in the military organization’s Next Generation Squad Weapon Fire Control competition, Military.com reported.
The technology ‘is designed to help improve the accuracy of any shooter engaging stationary or moving targets in both day and night conditions,’ said Devin Schweiss of Smart Shooter Inc.
SMASH’s system incorporates night vision, magnification, and target detection and tracking.
Not only does the technology help the shooter with better accuracy, its main purpose is to cut down on stray bullets from hitting civilians in the area. The shooter ‘acquires, locks on and engages targets’ using a weapon-mounted optic and special pistol grip
According to Military.com, the system uses a sight that clips above the barrel and a special pistol grip.
Targets are automatically detected when the shooter presses a button next to the grip, which projects red boxes around them.
Pressing a button next to the grip automatically detects possible targets, projecting red boxes around them in the sight’s field of view.
The shooter then depresses the trigger and holds it down.
The weapon will fire when the barrel is properly aligned with the target, causing a ‘guaranteed hit.’
However, the auto tracker system can be disabled for other types of shooting.
If the Army decides to go ahead with the tech, it could be deployed in the field by 2023
Targets are automatically detected when the shooter presses a button next to the grip, which projects red boxes around them
The Army is constantly looking to incorporate better technologies to give their soldiers on the battlefield.
Recently the military organization tested a different smart rifle that automatically aims itself.
It uses a built in computer to aim at a target, and can even ‘lock on’ top targets and automatically track them.
The system includes a Linux-powered computer in the scope with sensors that collect imagery and ballistic data such as atmospheric conditions, cant, inclination, even the slight shift of the Earth’s rotation known as the Coriolis effect.
A laser rangefinder is used by the shooter looking through the scope to identify the target that he or she wants to hit.
The high-tech sight then takes into account humidity, wind and the typical ballistic drop you’d expect from a bullet fired over such a distance.
Once the target has been selected, the scope provides cross-hairs which have to be lined up with the pin that is dropped on the target.
To ensure accuracy, the shooter cannot even squeeze the trigger unless the cross-hairs and pin are aligned.
