Self-Guided Bullet Strikes Target a Mile Away

[mstng86]

A breakthrough in precision bullet technology for small caliber firearms will make striking a target an easier task. Two researchers at Sandia's National Laboratories created a self-guided dart-like bullet able to strike a target more than a mile away.

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The self-guided 4-inch bullet prototype has been successfully tested in both computer simulations and field testing -- where bullet speeds have reached 2,400 feet per second. The bullet differs from missile technology, in that the self-guided bullet has an optical sensor that can detect a laser beam on a target, which allows the bullet to steer toward a target.

In one field test, researchers attached a tiny light-emitting diode, or LED to the bullet to tract its path and researchers found the "battery and electronics could survive the bullet's launch," Sandia Lab reported.

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The bullet is still a prototype, but if it passes further testing conducted by a private firm, the bullet will be accessible to recreational shooters, law enforcement and the military. Lockheed Martin assisted Sandia Lab's research and has worked with the military to develop a self-guided bullet over the years.

"While engineering issues remain, we’re confident in our science base and we’re confident the engineering-technology base is there to solve the problems,” Sandia researcher Red Jones said in a statement.

Vid in link:

http://news.yahoo.com/self-guided-bullet-strikes-target-mile-away-video-132957445.html

[inline 6]

Prolly cost a fortune. Dohctor will be the only one here that will be able to afford it. That's even if it comes in a caliber that he can put in one of his HK's

[Alex]

Can kill a wife?

[GhostTX]

I see that a practical sniper rifle technology.

Or maybe...

[talisman]

Prolly cost a fortune. Dohctor will be the only one here that will be able to afford it. That's even if it comes in a caliber that he can out in one of his HK's

But worth every penny if you need it!

[Skidmark]

I'm not sure about these for recreational use? I'd hope that the bullets would have to go through a FFL and there is a serial on each bullet.

[CJ]

small caliber? 4 inch projectile? wtf.

[Strychnine]

I'm not sure about these for recreational use? I'd hope that the bullets would have to go through a FFL and there is a serial on each bullet.

Why?


Does it double kill? Does it blast out of the barrel without human intervention? Are cases of long distance precision shot murder on the rise?

No doubt it will be cost prohobitive for the average person. It's not like gangbangers are going to do drivebys with 'dem laser guided Glock foh-tees.

[CJ]

Why?


Does it double kill? Does it blast out of the barrel without human intervention? Are cases of long distance precision shot murder on the rise?

No doubt it will be cost prohobitive for the average person. It's not like gangbangers are going to do drivebys with 'dem laser guided Glock foh-tees.

Well, not unless Highpoint hops in.

[Ruffdaddy]

Why?


Does it double kill? Does it blast out of the barrel without human intervention? Are cases of long distance precision shot murder on the rise?

No doubt it will be cost prohobitive for the average person. It's not like gangbangers are going to do drivebys with 'dem laser guided Glock foh-tees.

Why would we want that in the publics hands? Just wait until those bullets go haywire because people don't maintain or use properly. It's not as much about the possibilty of someone intentionally misusing, it's about the lack of advanced training and technologies for the general public.

[ceyko]

Why would we want that in the publics hands? Just wait until those bullets go haywire because people don't maintain or use properly. It's not as much about the possibilty of someone intentionally misusing, it's about the lack of advanced training and technologies for the general public.

Usually your posts are down to earth and sensible even if I don't agree with them. There are a lot of things that we do that probably should require advanced training, but we figure it out. Use at your own risk really and use common sense as normal.

As of now, we have no real information though. Meaning, we can't really know what maintenance and issues they may or may not have.

Either way, judging by the pictures it's going to require a separate rifle/gun anyway.

[GhostTX]

Usually your posts are down to earth and sensible even if I don't agree with them. There are a lot of things that we do that probably should require advanced training, but we figure it out. Use at your own risk really and use common sense as normal.

As of now, we have no real information though. Meaning, we can't really know what maintenance and issues they may or may not have.

Either way, judging by the pictures it's going to require a separate rifle/gun anyway.

Maybe not....one of the videos looks like a sabot type casing. If they improve the technology, just load it up in any bolt-action rifle. Or maybe encased in a shotgun shell? The target just needs to be painted (lazed) by a 3rd party.

[Ruffdaddy]

Maybe not....one of the videos looks like a sabot type casing. If they improve the technology, just load it up in any bolt-action rifle. Or maybe encased in a shotgun shell? The target just needs to be painted (lazed) by a 3rd party.

I didn't watch the video or see pics but imagine it has to be fin stabilized much like a sabot round. I also believe it will eventually be an integrated unit not requiring two modules. There are several ways to integrate a sight, designator, and weapon. Keep in mind how hard it will be to stabilize a designator on a target at 1 mile. It's just not practical for the public in my eyes.

[ceyko]

I didn't watch the video or see pics but imagine it has to be fin stabilized much like a sabot round. I also believe it will eventually be an integrated unit not requiring two modules. There are several ways to integrate a sight, designator, and weapon. Keep in mind how hard it will be to stabilize a designator on a target at 1 mile. It's just not practical for the public in my eyes.

Although I disagree with you, I'm confident for a variety of reasons the general public won't have any or a lot of them.

I'd like to argue they'd be useful for hunting, but what's the point if the person designating the targets is in front of the shooter. Other than if off to the side, the noise maybe reduced to get multiple kills on hog or something.

IT WOULD JUST BE FUN TO PLAY WITH damn it. Hitting targets from a mile away is cool, even if cheating.

[Nash B.]

Maybe not....one of the videos looks like a sabot type casing. If they improve the technology, just load it up in any bolt-action rifle. Or maybe encased in a shotgun shell? The target just needs to be painted (lazed) by a 3rd party.

Not many rifles have a chamber long enough for a cartridge capable of pushing a 4" projectile at 2,000+ fps.