Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Rifle scope want

I make no bones about my (ahem) modest marksmanship abilities. This looks like just the ticket:
US military trials have found that a laser beam shone on the target can do more than just determine the range: it can also be used to "measure the average down range crosswind profile". The laser information can be combined with automatic readings of temperature, humidity etc and a "ballistic solution" computed.

Then a set of artificial crosshairs can be generated in the rifle showing where the bullet will actually strike. These can then be moved onto the target. Alongside the crosshairs is a constantly updated readout of how reliable the calculated aim point is and how likely it is to shift during the time the bullet is in flight (perhaps several seconds at long ranges). This lets the sniper choose the right time to shoot.

DARPA's "One Shot" program is expected to deploy next year.

4 comments:

  1. Sounds like an extension of the HUD found in fighter aircraft. We are probably finally reaching the point where the miniaturization and power consumption problems have been solved.

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  2. I would love to know how a laser can measure the downrange cross wind. That is a hell of a trick.

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  3. This is something I want to see.

    Jim

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  4. Picking up wind-dope off a laser is just Teh Awesomz! Barret makes the BROS system but that doesn't do wind.

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