DARPA's Self-Guiding Sniper Bullet Can Find Its Own Target

DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, has produced many interesting projects, among them being a slew of beastly robots that hold many promises. One decidedly non-robotic project, however, has successfully passed its first live tests.

The tests are part of the Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance program, more commonly referred to as EXACTO, which conducted its first tests using a .50-caliber rifle. The ammunition used is designed under the EXACTO program.

Using in-flight guidance, the bullets can be directed using an optical guidance system to targets other than where the sniper rifle is aimed. This helps snipers hit targets that are moving, or that might otherwise be missed due to wind or other issues.

The video above demonstrates this guidance system in action, showing two shots with bullets sent to targets offset from where the rifle was aimed. Additional work is being done in the program, with the goal being to "improve the range and accuracy of sniper systems beyond the current state of the art."

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VIA: Discovery News