DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Ageny) recently released the details of the first successful live-fire tests of their in-flight guided .50 caliber bullets.
EXACTO, also known as the Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance, was designed as an ammunition and real-time optical guidance system to help track and direct the bullets to their targets. The technology allows it to compensate for weather, wind, target movement and other factors that could disrupt successful hits.
As stated on DARPA’s webiste, the EXACTO system will:
“improve sniper effectiveness and enhance troop safety by allowing greater shooter standoff range and reduction in target engagement timelines. The objective of the EXACTO program is to revolutionize rifle accuracy and range by developing the first ever guided small-caliber bullet. 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. The system combines a maneuverable bullet and a real-time guidance system to track and deliver the projectile to the target, allowing the bullet to change path during flight to compensate for any unexpected factors that may drive it off course.”
Checkout the video above demonstrating the first successful live-fire test of the .50 caliber bullet.
Credit: DARPA
Images & Video: www.darpa.mil
