Military snipers may soon be using .50-caliber smart bullets that can change direction in midair to make them more deadly,
according to Stars and Stripes.
The Pentagon’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has approved the EXACTO program, or Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance, which is being developed by California’s Teledyne Scientific & Imaging.
“The objective of the EXACTO program is to revolutionize rifle accuracy and range by developing the first-ever guided small-caliber bullet,” DARPA officials said.
“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.”
A DARPA video posted on YouTube shows the special bullet changing direction in mid-flight, but does not reveal how it’s done, which is being kept under wraps by the Defense Department.
The video shows two rounds of live-fire testing, with the smart bullet being deliberately fired off target both times, but then changing path. In the second test, it appears to have hit the intended target.
According to Stars and Stripes, snipers operate in two-man teams, a shooter and a spotter, who have to calculate several factors before firing off rounds at a target. For example, Afghanistan’s high winds and rugged, dusty terrain are said to be quite challenging for snipers.
The Pentagon wants snipers to fire at targets more quickly and with more accuracy, which would help to increase their safety by hiding their position for longer periods.
The EXACTO bullet is currently being refined by developers, and DARPA is hoping that snipers will be using it soon, the military newspaper added.
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