Self-Guided Bullet Can Hit Targets a Mile Away

Posted by Soulskill on Tuesday January 31, 2012 @11:40AM from the just-in-case-you're-too-lazy-to-walk-over-there dept.

New submitter jpwilliams writes "Gizmag reports that researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have tested a 10-centimeter bullet that can be fired from a smooth-bore rifle to hit a laser-marked target one mile away. The bullet 'includes an optical sensor in the nose to detect a laser beam on a target. The sensor sends information to guidance and control electronics that use an algorithm in an eight-bit central processing unit to command electromagnetic actuators. These actuators steer tiny fins that guide the bullet to the target.' Interestingly, accuracy improves with targets that are further away, because 'the bullet's motions settle the longer it is in flight.'"

4 of 421 comments (clear)

Min score:

Reason:

Sort:

10 CENTIMETERS NOT INCHES!!!! by terraStorm24 · 2012-01-31 11:46 · Score: 5, Informative

If everything went metric we wouldn't have these problems. The bullet is 10cm not 10in.
Terminology by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-31 11:48 · Score: 5, Informative

smooth-bore rifle
"Smooth-bore" and "rifle" are mutually-exclusive terms. Pick one.
Re:Really? by serviscope_minor · 2012-01-31 11:56 · Score: 5, Informative

I don't normally do this, but woosh

--
SJW n. One who posts facts.
Re:Dart Maybe? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-31 12:58 · Score: 5, Informative

Actually, it states 2,475m = 2.475 km = 1.5 miles. I know, we Americans tend to assume everything is measured in miles, but the rest of the world tends to disagree.