The American Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has developed a homing bullet that made the dreams of science fiction writers come true.
As part of its EXACTO (Precision Weapon System Development) program, DARPA has created a cartridge with a.50 caliber (12.7 mm) bullet capable of maneuvering in flight after being fired from a firearm.
According to the agency, the specially designed EXACTO cartridge uses a "real-time optical guidance system" that not only tracks the bullet, but also aims it directly at the target.
This guidance system provides sniper accuracy regardless of the impact on the bullet trajectory of such external factors as weather, wind or target movement.
“For military snipers, hitting a moving target in the hostile conditions such as strong winds and dusty terrain commonly found in Afghanistan is extremely challenging even with modern technology,” said DARPA. "It is very important that snipers are able to hit targets faster and with greater accuracy, since any shot that misses the target exposes them to danger, betraying presence or even revealing firing positions."
In 2014, DARPA demonstrated its guided sniper bullets for the first time. The video shows the Exacto bullet changing direction as if following a target.
Tests carried out in February 2015 at the proving ground showed that Exacto homing bullets hit not only moving targets, but also evading targets with acceleration.
“In line with the DARPA mission, the Exacto bullets demonstrated what was previously considered impossible: continuous targeting of a small bore bullet,” said program manager Jerome Dunn. “The standard rifle demo showed that the Exacto was capable of hitting moving and evading targets with high sniper accuracy unattainable with traditional cartridges.”
Promotional video:
Equipping small caliber cartridges with the Exacto guidance system is a major breakthrough and opens up opportunities for its use in the future in all ammunition of any caliber."