<p>Now you don't have to be a good shooter to hit the mark. The US military has successfully tested self-steering "smart" bullets that have a real-time guidance system to track targets and can change their course if needed.<br /><br /></p>.<p>In February, the "smart bullets" -- .50-caliber projectiles equipped with optical sensors -- passed their most successful round of live-fire tests to date, according to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).<br /><br />In the tests, an experienced marksman "repeatedly hit moving and evading targets," a DARPA statement said.<br /><br />"Additionally, a novice shooter using the system for the first time hit a moving target. In other words, now you do not even have to be a good shot to hit the mark," the statement said.<br /><br />The system has been developed by DARPA's Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance programme, known as EXACTO.<br /><br />"True to DARPA's mission, EXACTO has demonstrated what was once thought impossible: the continuous guidance of a small-caliber bullet to target," Jerome Dunn, DARPA programme manager said in a statement.<br /><br />"This live-fire demonstration from a standard rifle showed that EXACTO is able to hit moving and evading targets with extreme accuracy at sniper ranges unachievable with traditional rounds. Fitting EXACTO's guidance capabilities into a small .50-caliber size is a major breakthrough and opens the door to what could be possible in future guided projectiles across all calibers," Dunn said.<br /><br />Videos supplied by DARPA showed the bullets making sharp turns in midair as they pursue their targets.<br /><br />DARPA says the smart bullets will also help shooters who are trying, for example, to hit targets in high winds.<br /><br />The goals of the EXACTO program are giving shooters accuracy at greater distances, engaging targets sooner and enhancing the safety of American troops, DARPA said.<br /><br />The EXACTO program has developed new approaches and advanced capabilities to improve the range and accuracy of sniper systems beyond the current state of the art.<br /><br />The programme sought to improve sniper effectiveness and enhance troop safety by allowing greater shooter standoff range and reduction in target engagement timelines. </p>
<p>Now you don't have to be a good shooter to hit the mark. The US military has successfully tested self-steering "smart" bullets that have a real-time guidance system to track targets and can change their course if needed.<br /><br /></p>.<p>In February, the "smart bullets" -- .50-caliber projectiles equipped with optical sensors -- passed their most successful round of live-fire tests to date, according to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).<br /><br />In the tests, an experienced marksman "repeatedly hit moving and evading targets," a DARPA statement said.<br /><br />"Additionally, a novice shooter using the system for the first time hit a moving target. In other words, now you do not even have to be a good shot to hit the mark," the statement said.<br /><br />The system has been developed by DARPA's Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance programme, known as EXACTO.<br /><br />"True to DARPA's mission, EXACTO has demonstrated what was once thought impossible: the continuous guidance of a small-caliber bullet to target," Jerome Dunn, DARPA programme manager said in a statement.<br /><br />"This live-fire demonstration from a standard rifle showed that EXACTO is able to hit moving and evading targets with extreme accuracy at sniper ranges unachievable with traditional rounds. Fitting EXACTO's guidance capabilities into a small .50-caliber size is a major breakthrough and opens the door to what could be possible in future guided projectiles across all calibers," Dunn said.<br /><br />Videos supplied by DARPA showed the bullets making sharp turns in midair as they pursue their targets.<br /><br />DARPA says the smart bullets will also help shooters who are trying, for example, to hit targets in high winds.<br /><br />The goals of the EXACTO program are giving shooters accuracy at greater distances, engaging targets sooner and enhancing the safety of American troops, DARPA said.<br /><br />The EXACTO program has developed new approaches and advanced capabilities to improve the range and accuracy of sniper systems beyond the current state of the art.<br /><br />The programme sought to improve sniper effectiveness and enhance troop safety by allowing greater shooter standoff range and reduction in target engagement timelines. </p>