Self-Steering Bullets -DARPA’s Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance (EXACTO) Program

[Talyn]

The DARPA EXACTO (Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance) program successfully concluded its primary phase after demonstrating the first-ever in-flight guided .50-caliber bullets. Developed in partnership with Lockheed Martin and Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, the system uses maneuverable ammunition. Furthermore, it uses real-time optical guidance to continuously track and direct projectiles toward moving and evading targets.

The program, which developed a self-steering bullet to increase hit rates for difficult, long-distance shots, completed in February its most successful round of live-fire tests to date. An experienced shooter using the technology demonstration system repeatedly hit moving and evading targets.

Self-Steering Bullets -DARPA’s Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance (EXACTO) Program

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This video shows EXACTO rounds maneuvering in flight to hit targets that are moving and accelerating. EXACTO’s specially designed ammunition and real-time optical guidance system help track and direct projectiles to their targets. They do this by compensating for weather, wind, target movement, and other factors that can impede successful hits.

 

[TEXASforLIFE]

Seems like the better way to shoot that type would be more upwards then lase it

 

[Grayfox]

I don't think of a .50 BMG as a small caliber.
But it is an interesting concept.

 

[FNFAN]

If it works like Gene Simmons gun in 'Runaway' it'll be awesome!

 

[Shibadog]

I wonder what THAT costs per round? No sense in using cheap ammo when you can buy very expensive stuff. Like right now using $1 Million missiles to take out $50k targets.

 

[Talyn]

Granted the military should find the most effective way to defend personnel & assets, but when the rules change you use what you got at the time.

What if...

1) the $50K USD target causes more than $1 million USD of damage and a loss of life? And..,

2) what would have been reasonable price to eliminate Osoma Bin Laden before 9/11?

Current events are leading to lessons learned, and the development of new tech at cheaper prices than weapons developed to protect US assets based on past threat assessments.

 

[Shibadog]

Granted the military should find the most effective way to defend personnel & assets, but when the rules change you use what you got at the time.

What if...

1) the $50K USD target causes more than $1 million USD of damage and a loss of life? And..,

2) what would have been reasonable price to eliminate Osoma Bin Laden before 9/11?

Current events are leading to lessons learned, and the development of new tech at cheaper prices than weapons developed to protect US assets based on past threat assessments.

Agreed. My point is that “high tech/high $$ may not always be the “right” answer. Let’s face it, a couple WW2 Iowa battleships with modern air and point defense gear with one at each end of the straight blowing up Iranian assets with those big ‘ol 16” rifles would be nice to have