Smart bullets change trajectory to hit laser pointed targets

High-tech, precious guided bludgeons have been only available with large military combat aircrafts or naval vessels thus far. A pair of engineers at the Sandia National Labs, however, has developed an advanced self-guided bullet for average infantry. This bullet can change its trajectory to hit a target designated by laser beams. That means the shooter could steer the direction of the bullet even after it was shot in the air using laser beams.

Self-guided bullets

The self-guided bullet has an optical sensor in its nose that can detect a laser beam spotted on the target. Once the sensor identifies the target, it transmits the information to the control system onboard. There is an eight-bit CPU inside the bullet, which commands electromagnetic actuators to regulate small fins in order to change the bullet’s route towards the laser-targeted point.

Of course, some complex electrical processes take place inside the bullet when it’s in air. It works almost like a precision guided mid-air bomb or missiles. Because of the process, the shooter gets complete control of the bullet, which can be hit on the right target. Even if the target is moving, shooter can hit it with the bullet thanks to the technology from Sandia engineers.

To develop such a finned design for the self-guided bullet, researchers have traveled through a new way. They have dispensed several fundamentals of modern design of firearms. For example, they skipped rifled barrel, which provides spin for traditional bullets. Instead, they perfected the self-guided bullet with some smart spin and rifling technologies. The main purpose has been to reduce the margin of error while shooting from almost 10 yards down to 8 inches.

The new self-guided bullet can hit its target with less deviation. The researchers have developed small-caliber firearms, which are carried by local, low enforcement officers, to shoot the self-guided bullets. They are still working to fix some engineering issues with the laser-targeted bullets and firearms. Sandia Labs is also looking for a private partner to develop the guided rounds to commercial products.

However, some analysts are anxious of the effectiveness of the self-guided bullets. Some claim that laser beam is not always accurate. Travelling one mile or so, laser beams often diffuse and disperse. So hitting targets using laser beams is a bad idea; most of the time it won’t work as expected.

Yet another argument against the self-guided bullets is that it won’t move as faster as a normal bullet. Moreover, laser beam is always intense and powerful, which means anyone can see it. Hence, it won’t be easy to target an object with laser beams. The concept of self-guided bullet is almost pointless in this sense. But the researchers are working avidly to make it a success.

Via: PopularScience