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World's First Linux Powered Rifle Announced

stevew writes "Following up our earlier discussion about whether guns should be self-aware comes the announcement of the world's first Linux-powered rifle. A startup attending CES was showing how their 'Precision Guided Firearms' would use customized, computerized scopes to assist with aiming. 'The Linux-powered scope produces a display that looks something like the heads-up display you'd see sitting in the cockpit of a fighter jet, showing the weapon's compass orientation, cant, and incline. To shoot at something, you first "mark" it using a button near the trigger. Marking a target illuminates it with the tracking scope's built-in laser, and the target gains a pip in the scope's display. When a target is marked, the tracking scope takes into account the range of the target, the ambient temperature and humidity, the age of the barrel, and a whole boatload of other parameters. It quickly reorients the display so the crosshairs in the center accurately show where the round will go.'"

187 of 272 comments (clear)

  1. gotta ask by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Funny

    But does it run Windows?

    1. Re:gotta ask by mjjochen · · Score: 5, Funny

      Yes, Crosshair Office.

    2. Re:gotta ask by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Funny

      Yes, [MS] Crosshair Office.

      You mean CrossChair Office

      or AcrossOffice Chair

    3. Re:gotta ask by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      No! Sadly EMACS takes all space on the ROM.

    4. Re:gotta ask by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      The real question is can it run Crysis?

    5. Re:gotta ask by gewalker · · Score: 3, Funny

      For $17,000 it not only should run Windows, but clean them and make them bulletproof too.

    6. Re:gotta ask by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      You have pulled the trigger. You need to restart Windows in order to complete this operation. Would you like to restart now? (restarting in 10s...)

    7. Re:gotta ask by the+monolith · · Score: 2

      Will it obey the usual editing commands like Ctrl+F10 (execute,) 'home', 'end', 'undo', 'delete', and 'search and replace'? I really would like to remove the 9 scores from my target and replace them with 10s.

    8. Re:gotta ask by Bodhammer · · Score: 2

      Microsoft Bob - you know, dead on arrival!

      --
      "I say we take off, nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure."
    9. Re:gotta ask by DigiShaman · · Score: 1

      Run Windows? No. But it will bust them out from afar!

      --
      Life is not for the lazy.
    10. Re:gotta ask by Cryacin · · Score: 5, Funny

      Red Screen of Death.

      --
      Science advances one funeral at a time- Max Planck
    11. Re:gotta ask by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Funny

      MS Ammo Clippy: "It looks like you are trying to waste a grade school. Would you like some help?"

    12. Re:gotta ask by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Does it have "Adios Clippy" written on the stock?

    13. Re:gotta ask by kelemvor4 · · Score: 1

      Gives new depth to "Blue Screen of Death"

    14. Re:gotta ask by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      It's CrossChairOffice.Org goddammit! CCO.o

    15. Re:gotta ask by BronsCon · · Score: 4, Funny

      (Score:5, Too Soon but Still Funny)

      --
      APK quotes people (including myself) without context and should not be trusted. Just thought you should know.
    16. Re:gotta ask by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      > or AcrossOffice Chair
      No, that's something different that my secretary likes but my wife doesn't !!

      When asked if the guns will support 3rd party accessaries the vendor said "no, that's out of scope!"

    17. Re:gotta ask by gbobeck · · Score: 1

      More like the pink mist of death...

      --
      Navicula hydraulica plena anguilarum est. Omnes castelli tuus nostri sunt. Ed elli avea del cul fatto trombetta.
    18. Re:gotta ask by SpaghettiPattern · · Score: 1

      But does it run Windows?

      Nah. Windows needs at least three buttons.

      --

      I hadn't the slightest objection to his spending his time planning massacres for the bourgeoisie... (P.G. Wodehouse)
    19. Re:gotta ask by digitig · · Score: 3, Funny

      Nah. This is a cunning ploy by the anti-gun lobby. The NRA can still have their guns, but because they run Unity nobody will be able to fire them.

      --
      Quidnam Latine loqui modo coepi?
    20. Re:gotta ask by RockDoctor · · Score: 1

      (Score:5, Too Soon but Still Funny)

      Don't worry ; there will soon be another atrocity along to overshadow the last one. There are things which the American gun-toting lunatic in the street can be relied upon for, and that's one of them.

      Is anyone takeing bets on what the score card on the next atrocity will be, and when? I've never laid a bet in my life, but I might just look at the book on this to see if I can do a "gun merchant special" - i.e. make a quick buck out of an insane tragedy.

      --
      Birds are not dinosaur descendants;birds are dinosaurs, for all useful meanings of "birds", "are" and "dinosaurs"
  2. So.. by robkore · · Score: 5, Funny

    Guns don't kill people, linux does.

    1. Re:So.. by Tablizer · · Score: 1

      gory gui

    2. Re:So.. by Master+Moose · · Score: 1

      Thank you for making me spit my tea all over my keyboard and monitor... funniest one liner I have read in a while

      --
      . . .gone when the morning comes
    3. Re:So.. by Jeremi · · Score: 5, Funny

      Guns don't kill people, linux does.

      Yeah, but this model is safer -- you don't pull a trigger, you type "sudo kill -9 ".

      Please be careful when entering the target's social security number.

      --


      I don't care if it's 90,000 hectares. That lake was not my doing.
    4. Re:So.. by Sulphur · · Score: 5, Funny

      When Linux is outlawed, only outlaws will have Linux.

    5. Re:So.. by History's+Coming+To · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The only thing that stops a bad guy with a Linux is a good guy with a Linux. (Which, ironically, makes quite a lot of sense.)

      --
      Please consider this account deleted, I just can't be bothered with the spam anymore.
    6. Re:So.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Linus doesn't kill people, Reiser does.

    7. Re:So.. by maz2331 · · Score: 4, Funny

      I wonder if they are using ReiserFS in it too?

    8. Re:So.. by Rockoon · · Score: 5, Funny

      Finally the year of the linux headshot....

      --
      "His name was James Damore."
    9. Re:So.. by PPH · · Score: 4, Funny

      Can we use wildcards? Grep has never been so much fun!

      --
      Have gnu, will travel.
    10. Re:So.. by Shark · · Score: 4, Funny

      grep -v 'government_approved' /the/people.list | target | fire

      --
      Mind the frickin' laser...
    11. Re:So.. by __aaltlg1547 · · Score: 1

      Waiting for the lawsuit where the FSF is sued by someone shot with this gun, with allegations that the gun misfired due to a bugs in the Linux kernel. It should be entertaining.

    12. Re:So.. by demonlapin · · Score: 1

      What's ironic about it? Powerful tools are powerful tools.

    13. Re:So.. by cgt · · Score: 1

      Why would they sue FSF for a bug in Linux?

    14. Re:So.. by FatdogHaiku · · Score: 1

      When Linux is outlawed, only outlaws will have Linux.

      Or:
      When Linux is outlawed, Linux will become an outlaw!
      A modified version of HAL 9000s little speech:
      I know I've made some very poor decisions recently, but I can give you my complete assurance that my work will be back to normal. I've still got the greatest enthusiasm and confidence in the mission. And I want to help you.(.. please insert a fully loaded magazine...)

      --
      You have the right to remain sentient. If you give up the right to remain sentient, you will be elected to public office
    15. Re:So.. by davester666 · · Score: 1

      And it keeps both of them out of the dating pool!

      --
      Sleep your way to a whiter smile...date a dentist!
    16. Re:So.. by dutchwhizzman · · Score: 3, Funny

      First they came after CP/M, but I didn't own a CP/M computer, so I didn't complain. Then they came after the Amiga. ....

      --
      I was promised a flying car. Where is my flying car?
    17. Re:So.. by shentino · · Score: 2

      Because they're idiots with money to burn on lawyers.

    18. Re:So.. by davydagger · · Score: 1

      too bad the most you can get modded is +5 Funny.

      Probably the most bitting funny comment in the historty of /.

    19. Re:So.. by DECula · · Score: 1

      +1 too funny

      --
      dreaded scurrilous bit-twiddler from Oklahoma
    20. Re:So.. by mjwx · · Score: 1

      Guns don't kill people, linux does.

      Linux doesn't kill, Linux sysadmins do.

      --
      Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
    21. Re:So.. by demonlapin · · Score: 1

      Thank you, folks, he's going to be here all week; try the chicken and be sure to tip your server well.

    22. Re:So.. by davester666 · · Score: 1

      You're welcome. An artist always appreciates those who appreciate him.

      --
      Sleep your way to a whiter smile...date a dentist!
    23. Re:So.. by unixisc · · Score: 1

      What's left is Minix powered guns.

    24. Re:So.. by unixisc · · Score: 1

      Make that GUN/Linux!!!

    25. Re:So.. by unixisc · · Score: 1

      Next we'll have Linux control laws, then Linux safety laws and so on

    26. Re:So.. by unixisc · · Score: 1

      The bugs would have to be in userland. Unless they want to sue the FSF in case the targeting software was written using GCC.

    27. Re:So.. by TheLink · · Score: 1

      I tried to tip my server, but the server's rack got in the way...

      --
  3. Oh boy by Hsien-Ko · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now you can sudo rm rf the real world.

    1. Re:Oh boy by loufoque · · Score: 1

      Unfortunately, you still need to remove the body manually.

    2. Re:Oh boy by Beardydog · · Score: 5, Funny

      Just drag it to the garbage can, like OSX taught you.

    3. Re:Oh boy by defaria · · Score: 3, Funny

      No, no!

      $ shoot person

      I'm sorry Dave but I'm afraid I can't do that!

      $ sudo shoot person

      OK

    4. Re:Oh boy by Beardo+the+Bearded · · Score: 1

      This is one of the funnier things I've read today, thank you.

      --

      ---
      ECHELON is a government program to find words like bomb, jihad, plutonium, assassinate, and anarchy.
    5. Re:Oh boy by bill_mcgonigle · · Score: 1

      sudo rm rf the real world

      return EINTR;

      --
      My God, it's Full of Source!
      OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)
  4. Stock up by ah42 · · Score: 1

    Imagine a Beowulf Cluster of these babies!

  5. Linux Kid responds by decora · · Score: 1

    Graybeard: "Oh my oh my, what would Sakharov think?"

    Linux Kid: "Who is Sakharov?"

  6. The Windows Version by stevegee58 · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Oh wait! I can't shoot anything because the screen's all blue!"

    1. Re:The Windows Version by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Would that be a Blue Screen of Life?

  7. Re:Thanks for nothing gun nuts by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Funny

    Another case of gun nuts taking useful technology and exploiting it.

    You are making me feel shame in my Emacs Cannon

  8. Re:Do Not Want! by xeromist · · Score: 4, Informative

    Uh, that's what this is: a computer aided scope, not a change to the mechanics of the rifle. Even TFS says this.

    --
    This sig is exactly seventy characters long and a real waste of space!
  9. No by anom · · Score: 3, Funny

    Linux doesn't kill people, Linux users do!

    1. Re:No by russotto · · Score: 1

      Linux doesn't kill people, Linux users do!

      Linux developers too!

  10. Re:Do Not Want! by LordLucless · · Score: 1

    If you want to make the scope into a computing device that's fine.

    If you read even the summary, you'd know that's precisely what this is. Assuming headlines are at all factual or correct is likely to lead you to fail.

    --
    Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean there isn't an invisible demon about to eat your face
  11. Imagine! by bradorsomething · · Score: 5, Funny

    Imagine Beowulf armed with a cluster of these!

  12. It's GNU/Linux by MrEricSir · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's GNU/Linux, not GUN/Linux.

    --
    There's no -1 for "I don't get it."
    1. Re:It's GNU/Linux by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Best. Comment. EVAR!

    2. Re:It's GNU/Linux by Fishead · · Score: 1

      Watch the youtube video posted at http://tracking-point.com/

      Pretty sure that's a Gnu at 0:17...

    3. Re:It's GNU/Linux by c0lo · · Score: 1

      so... if one buys a rifle, I expect the source-code be made available to the one, to do as one pleases, isn't it?

      --
      Questions raise, answers kill. Raise questions to stay alive.
    4. Re:It's GNU/Linux by Tablizer · · Score: 1

      Are dyslexic people more likely to accidentally shoot themselves?

    5. Re:It's GNU/Linux by a_hanso · · Score: 1

      The moment I saw the headline, I knew it was going to be +5 Funny across the board. Thank you for not disappointing!

    6. Re:It's GNU/Linux by cold+fjord · · Score: 1

      It's GNU/Linux, not GUN/Linux.

      Depends on who you bought it from. If you bought it from Red Hat, its GNU/Linux. If you bought it from Red Jacket, it's Gun/Linux.

      --
      much of left-wing thought is a kind of playing with fire by people who don't even know that fire is hot - George Orwell
  13. Re:Do Not Want! by baker_tony · · Score: 4, Informative

    TrackingPoint is quick to emphasize the rifle doesn't fire "by itself," but rather the trigger's pull force is dynamically raised to be very high until the reticle and pip coincide, at which point the pull force is reset to its default. In this way, the shooter is still in control of the rifle's firing, and at any point prior to firing you can release the trigger. In the mockups the company had on display for the press to experiment with, the action appeared to be the same

  14. Does it have speakers? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    If it has speakers mod it like this gun lol

    1. Re:Does it have speakers? by michelcolman · · Score: 1

      Or at least let it say "hello" in a friendly female voice when the target comes in sight.

  15. Year of the Linux Desktop by getto+man+d · · Score: 2

    "It's the year of the linux desktop...BECAUSE I SAY SO!"

  16. Re:Do Not Want! by Lord+Kano · · Score: 1

    No, Rifles are devices that launch projectiles. Arguably, they're devices that use projectiles to transfer kinetic energy. Damage isn't a given or a guaranteed result.

    LK

    --
    "Hi. This is my friend, Jack Shit, and you don't know him." - Lord Kano
  17. Can it run this too? by Bodhammer · · Score: 1
    --
    "I say we take off, nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure."
  18. Just you wait by pokoteng · · Score: 1

    I'm waiting for them to add small servos to the barrel for a feedback loop to compensate for weapon sway and etc. Real life hand-held autoaim weapons.

    --
    the game
    1. Re:Just you wait by idontgno · · Score: 1

      And you think accusations of aim-botting are rampant now? Just wait...

      --
      Welcome to the Panopticon. Used to be a prison, now it's your home.
    2. Re:Just you wait by pokoteng · · Score: 1

      I know it exists in bigger scale, but wasn't aware of it existing on hand-held small arms scale. As in, rifle size.

      --
      the game
    3. Re:Just you wait by X0563511 · · Score: 1

      This does it. It rides the trigger pull weight so it's hard to pull when off-target, but at the right moment it's lightened.

      So: aim, lightly pull trigger. When the fire computer says go, the trigger lightens and the pressure you are providing slips the sear, and things go boom.

      But, at the same time, you can just pull harder and override it.

      --
      For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...
  19. Re:Do Not Want! by Beardydog · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I feel like one of us should mention the rifled barrel.

  20. Re:Do Not Want! by clarkkent09 · · Score: 3, Informative

    Let me fix that for you: If you read even the summary, you'd think that's precisely what this is but if you read the article you'd know that it is not. Assuming summaries are at all factual or correct is likely to lead you to fail.
     
    From TFA: The PGF isn't just a fancy scope on top of a rifle. All together, the PGF is made up of a firearm, a modified trigger mechanism with variable weighting, the computerized digital tracking scope, and hand-loaded match grade rounds (which you need to purchase from TrackingPoint).

    --
    Negative moral value of force outweighs the positive value of good intentions.
  21. what about big buck hunter? by Joe_Dragon · · Score: 1

    what about big buck hunter?

    You shot a doe to ranger station and pay $200.

  22. Deer deer me by OhANameWhatName · · Score: 1

    Finally .. a killer Linux portable

    1. Re:Deer deer me by Sulphur · · Score: 5, Funny

      Finally .. a killer Linux portable

      Finally .. a killer Linux app

  23. Just plain wrong to use Linux in a weapon. by blackest_k · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    It's not right in a couple of ways.
    Militarily Linux is something built by individuals and companies from all over the world in collaboration. something that was created by humanity as a species not as a nation or even a political group. Maybe there is nothing in the licensing of Linux to say it can't be used for killing but it certainly seems against the spirit of the endeavour.

    Right now it's being made part of a hunting rifle and that is pretty sickening too. Hunting is a skill and this takes away from the skill part of hunting. Where is the challenge when all you need to do is waggle the gun barrel in the general direction of the target and the scope decides when to fire? It wouldn't be so bad if it was just taking a photo. Even though how much pride could you take from taking the perfect picture when the camera does the hard bit for you.

    It is about as skilled as fishing with dynamite. What if these guns were used to extinct a species? I don't think people worked on Linux to help rich idiots ($7000 a rifle) pretend to be marksmen. Hopefully this is a venture which is going to fail.

    I remember back when yugoslavia was falling apart I was on an Amiga channel and there were some young lads on there on both sides of the conflict desperately worried they would be drafted and be forced to fight on opposing sides. Still seems just as wrong now with the diversity of nationalities we share our common interests on line yet some of us be forced to take up arms by our psychopathic leaders of our great nations...

    1. Re:Just plain wrong to use Linux in a weapon. by futhermocker · · Score: 1

      Would the military really care if they breach a license? Think not... Then again, they would never admit it.

      --
      KERNEL PANIC -SIGFAULT AT ADDRESS #51A54D07
    2. Re:Just plain wrong to use Linux in a weapon. by RazzleDazzle · · Score: 1

      BSD has no problems with this kind of use.

      To quote the founder of OpenBSD:
      But software which OpenBSD uses and redistributes must be free to all (be they people or companies), for any purpose they wish to use it, including modification, use, peeing on, or even integration into baby mulching machines or atomic bombs to be dropped on Australia.

      --
      ZERO ZERO ONE ZERO ONE ZERO ONE ONE! Just brushing up for my next big invention: Ethernet over Voice (EoV)
    3. Re:Just plain wrong to use Linux in a weapon. by TheCarp · · Score: 2

      Actually, telling people what they can and can't do with the software running on their hardware is against the very spirit of the endeavor. Just because you have some special emotional reaction to guns doesn't mean others do. MANY linux users and developers are gun enthusiasts.

      As for skill... whats your point?

      Yes, I would consider this cheating in most competitions. This is like complaining that people use cheat codes in video games. Unless you are competing with them on score, who the fuck cares?

      --
      "I opened my eyes, and everything went dark again"
    4. Re:Just plain wrong to use Linux in a weapon. by unixisc · · Score: 1
      You might want to be familiar w/ Freedom 0 of GUN, er GNU:

      The freedom to run the program, for any purpose

    5. Re:Just plain wrong to use Linux in a weapon. by blackest_k · · Score: 1

      We are a disappointing species, we manage to do great things and terrible things and worst of all a whole heap of things of no note at all.

      In the end the only person who judges you is you. How often we disappoint ourselves.

  24. Geeks can finally be snipers by BluPhenix316 · · Score: 1

    This is great for all us computer geeks who have dreamed of being sniper assassins. Even my sniper rifle runs linux!

    1. Re:Geeks can finally be snipers by oodaloop · · Score: 1

      But what basement-dwelling neck beard can afford 17k for a rifle? Linux is supposed to be free!

      --
      Tic-Tac-Toe, Global Thermonuclear War, and relationships all have the same winning move.
    2. Re:Geeks can finally be snipers by PPH · · Score: 2

      3D printer plans coming soon.

      --
      Have gnu, will travel.
    3. Re:Geeks can finally be snipers by pipelayerification · · Score: 1

      Some probably have that much invested in hardware already. This is just a really expensive system. No charge for the software :)

  25. Re:Do Not Want! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    No. The article specifically describes how the scope controls the pull weight in an attempt to keep you from botching the shot. There are mechanical modifications here, and as someone that shot competitive smallbore with very low weights I can tell you that dynamically messing with the weight is a potentially dangerous thing to do.

    The part about having to use their ammo is bullshit I'm sure. In a $17,000 device, it better be able to perform regular ballistic calculations, and you could otherwise easily make or buy .300 winmag with the characteristics it expects.

  26. Woohoo! by ma1wrbu5tr · · Score: 2

    Now that is what I call a "point-and-click" interface.

    Coming soon:. Maces and clubs running BASH.

    --
    Why can't we go back to using jumpers to configure slot adapter cards? Why? I say!
  27. Annie Get Your GNU by theodp · · Score: 1

    RMS's Broadway revival of Annie Get Your Gun.

  28. Way to go by Cryacin · · Score: 5, Funny

    To overcomplicate a simple point and click interface.

    --
    Science advances one funeral at a time- Max Planck
    1. Re:Way to go by nu1x · · Score: 1

      Actually, this could make possible a rifle mentioned by Vernor Vinge in "The Peace War":

      Point and no click interface, in which, you just film your would be victims, and then, jump out and point at them in fast sweeping motions, upon which the rifle recognises your attackers (by image recognition) and fires at them full auto (when your barrel crosses them in the calculated trajectory of a bullet, all in realtime) with minimal lag, resulting in 1 bullet - 1 hit pretty much.

      Still ways to go for this one I think.

      --
      I have nothing to lose but my bindings.
    2. Re:Way to go by dutchwhizzman · · Score: 1

      Press the right trigger. NoNo, not the left one! You should have pressed the *right* trigger and scrolled to "stun" before you pressed the left one!

      --
      I was promised a flying car. Where is my flying car?
  29. Re:Do Not Want! by Cryacin · · Score: 1

    In a $17,000 device, it's target market provides the opportunity for another $17,000 of sales in consumables.

    --
    Science advances one funeral at a time- Max Planck
  30. Re:Do Not Want! by xeromist · · Score: 1

    I read the article and there doesn't seem to be any serious modification to the basic mechanics of the rifle. The "modified trigger" just adds resistance so that you can preemptively apply pressure to the trigger to avoid that motion causing your shot to misalign. There's no indication that it provides enough resistance to prevent the shooter from pulling harder and firing anyway. It would make sense that if it was a full trigger lock that they would simply call it that. They are even careful to state that the shooter is in control but the example they give is deciding NOT to fire so they don't really address whether failure to fire is possible or not.

    --
    This sig is exactly seventy characters long and a real waste of space!
  31. Re:Thanks for nothing gun nuts by History's+Coming+To · · Score: 4, Insightful

    You've got to accept that FOSS etc can be used for good and bad. Internet? Great boon to humanity, also allows for research of home-made explosives and distribution of CP. Linux? Allows people to be in charge of their computers, for free, as used by North Korea and arms manufacturers. Personally I'm pro-gun-control, but you can't deny that this isn't quite an elegant bit of engineering, and they have every right to develop it.

    --
    Please consider this account deleted, I just can't be bothered with the spam anymore.
  32. CLI? by kav2k · · Score: 2

    I wonder, does it come with commando line interface?

  33. Re:Do Not Want! by xeromist · · Score: 1

    Fair enough. I've never shot competitive so I can't comment on how the weight can impact you.

    However the OP's complaint was regarding failure to fire and simply having a higher weight wouldn't prevent you from firing if you chose to. They're not calling it a full trigger lock. In that respect it does not sound like they've done anything mechanically that would compromise the weapon's ability to fire but I suppose that depends how the resistance is implemented.

    --
    This sig is exactly seventy characters long and a real waste of space!
  34. Shouldn't this be done with a microcontroller ?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    And Linux ? LINUX ??? Are you insane ? Why on earth... This must be an early Aprils Fools... If you told me it's all pure assembly or even an ASM bootloader and a few C coroutines... I would even have considered a micro kernel to get different scope manufacturers hot swapping... But Linux ?!

    Use the right tools for the job !!!

  35. Re:Do Not Want! by History's+Coming+To · · Score: 3, Interesting

    In that scenario the trigger is nothing more than a dead mans switch. You hold the trigger down, hold the reticle on target (ish) and the gun fires at the right moment. It may only happen in milliseconds, but the ultimate decision to fire isn't made by the human, the human just authorises it.

    --
    Please consider this account deleted, I just can't be bothered with the spam anymore.
  36. Awesome! by Lumpy · · Score: 1

    Now our snipers can say "I'm gonna CTL-ALT-Delete you" when they take out a target....

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    1. Re:Awesome! by Joe_Dragon · · Score: 1

      pick a task to kill.

      GUN.exe
      GUI.EXE
      USER.EXE
      target.exe
      batterymon.exe
      rangefinder.exe
      recognition.exe
      Wi-Fi server.exe
      *next page*

  37. Re:Do Not Want! by X0563511 · · Score: 1

    Except that even with a heavy pull, you can still pull and fire. This means you can lightly pull the trigger to get the effect you describe, or just pull a bit harder to override it.

    Have you shot a rifle? You know how trigger pulls work?

    --
    For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...
  38. Re:anemometer by X0563511 · · Score: 1

    And what, pray tell, would it sense? Wind needs to be figured from other sources, such as brush movement. There's no guarantee that the wind exposed to the rifle is the wind between the rifle and target.

    --
    For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...
  39. Smartguns plz by EbonTiger · · Score: 1

    I want to see this linked to Google Glass for proper smart-guns ala Aliens.

  40. What did the old one run on? by EdZ · · Score: 1

    The OICW and XM25 both have (had, in the case of the OICW) a similar sighting system: ping the range (or enter manually) and the reticule will relocate to the correct angle to fire the grenade to have it land at/over/in the target location (depending on whether the round is meant to detonate above a trench, over a wall or through a window into a building).

  41. Re:Do Not Want! by rtb61 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    It's target market is the military. The aim, to turn a whole lot of second rate shots into first rate snipers and to generate huge profits for the company. You can also expect police forces to purchase the aiming system in order to enhance accuracy. The operating system is largely arbitrary, although it would be interesting to see how compact an install they achieved and driver and kernel set up as quality of 'appliance' style installs are interesting.

    --
    Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
  42. Re:Do Not Want! by kllrnohj · · Score: 1

    No, other way around. The computer authorizes it, the human is the one that actually does it. As in, the computer has no way to fire the gun by itself.

  43. Re:Do Not Want! by History's+Coming+To · · Score: 1

    Yup, target shot with .22 rifles for a couple of years, I also understand that the shooter's heartbeat and respiratory state play a role. I'd certainly agree that the "decision time" when a human takes a shot is quite long, you squeeze the trigger while you keep the sights on and at some point it goes bang, but it's not a "yes/no" pull on the trigger. I don't believe that this system would be any more dangerous than a human (it could well be safer), but I do maintain the final decision is made by software. (Interesting semi-technical book on the theme: Governing Lethal Behavior in Autonomous Robots)

    --
    Please consider this account deleted, I just can't be bothered with the spam anymore.
  44. Re:Thanks for nothing gun nuts by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Personally I'm pro-gun-control

    Me too.

    Gun-control: A steady hand

  45. It's a shrunk-down ballistic computer! by trims · · Score: 4, Insightful

    RTFA indicates that this is almost identical to the ballistic computer (aka gunsight computer) found in practically any modern MBT or IFV. They've shrunk it down and merged it with a rifle. However, they've once again failed the "Just because we CAN, doesn't mean we SHOULD" question.

    I saw this once before: Objective Individual Combat Weapon

    It's what taking a $400 M-16 and mating it with a new 25mm grenade launcher, then running it through the Military Industrial Complex gets you: a $800,000 weapon that's too bulky to use, of marginal benefit, and of questionable utility.

    Honestly, the Marine Corp and British Marines have a solution that works far better than either the OICW or this new gadget: it's called PRACTICE. I'm willing to bet that putting in a couple of dozen hours at a local shooting range would do the potential buyer of this gadget far more good. Not to mention saving them $15k or more. I also seriously doubt this "system" is rugged enough to be used (and abused) in the field for any length of time, even just for hunting. Even by pampered super-rich hunting dilettantes.

    Sometimes, technology just gets in the way of getting things done.

    --
    There are always four sides to every story: your side, their side, the truth, and what really happened.
    1. Re:It's a shrunk-down ballistic computer! by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      Honestly, the Marine Corp and British Marines have a solution that works far better than either the OICW or this new gadget: it's called PRACTICE.

      That practice is quite expensive. What if, one day, any soldier could fire any weapon through a hole in a fortification from a distance like an elite sniper does to avoid detection? The OICW is too much too soon, and so is this, but it's never too soon to lay the ground work, only to imagine deployment.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    2. Re:It's a shrunk-down ballistic computer! by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      sure, this magic gun makes people more accurate, but what about every other gun in exisitence?

      Today the technology is mounted on the gun because it's where it has to be. Tomorrow (for some sufficiently large value of tomorrow) it will be mounted on the soldier and work with many guns, at least with anything for which the system has data — and perhaps it can build ballistics tables by monitoring performance.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    3. Re:It's a shrunk-down ballistic computer! by MBGMorden · · Score: 4, Insightful

      And thus, today, this item makes no practical sense whatsoever.

      And saying "well, it will work someday" is exactly how the DoD gets away with blowing vast quantities of money.

      I don't think you're familiar with how the development of technology works. We don't get subscriptions from God where he periodically sends us new stuff to use. If we ever want something to be workable then we have to trudge through the entire phase where its not until it works right. With your attitude we wouldn't have cars now because the ones in the 1880's didn't really work well so we shouldn't have spent any time developing the tech.

      --
      "People who think they know everything are very annoying to those of us who do."-Mark Twain
    4. Re:It's a shrunk-down ballistic computer! by shutdown+-p+now · · Score: 1

      OICW was a fail because it meant to deliver a "smart rifle" for every soldier on the battlefield. These guys do not propose that - their device is meant for snipers and long range shots, where it's actually of considerable use, extra weight is not a major consideration, and the operator is supposed to be well-trained.

      No amount of practice is going to make you as good at compensating for movement, wind, atmospheric pressure variations etc as a computer.

    5. Re:It's a shrunk-down ballistic computer! by Rich0 · · Score: 1

      I thought the whole point of OICW wasn't for storming rooms (though I imagine it could be used in "dumb mode" with regular bullets for that), but for engagements at moderate range where it would allow you to fairly easily defeat cover with airburst grenades. Landing a mortar on a trench isn't that easy and you're exposed to fire the entire time. With something like OICW you could set the range and basically fire off a bunch of airbursts right across the entire length of it. You could fire an airburst that goes off just past the corner of every building you come to while you're marching down a street (obviously not useful for peacekeeping, but plenty useful during full combat where you shoot at anything that moves).

    6. Re:It's a shrunk-down ballistic computer! by CAIMLAS · · Score: 1

      you make the assumption that those who possess guns will not be rationed bullets when they purchase their hunting license for the year. No more than 5, of course - nobody needs 10 bullets to kill a deer!

      Then imagine people who get their once-in-a-lifetime elk, moose, or cougar license. Or the African safari. They want to make sure they hit it, but they're still only allocated 5 shots for the year for that license...

      While I agree with you, the obvious demographic for this product will be the 'expensive hunter' demographic.

      --
      ~/ssh slashdot.org ssh: connect to host slashdot.org port 22: too many beers
    7. Re:It's a shrunk-down ballistic computer! by K.+S.+Kyosuke · · Score: 1

      Honestly, the Marine Corp and British Marines have a solution that works far better than either the OICW or this new gadget: it's called PRACTICE. I'm willing to bet that putting in a couple of dozen hours at a local shooting range would do the potential buyer of this gadget far more good.

      I can imagine this weapon being pretty good at shooting at running targets. The sight could isolate a moving figure against the fixed background (we do have the math for that, see motion compensating codecs etc.), calculate the lead for a hit in the center of mass and just show you where to aim. It would fire as soon as it would deem it worthy of spending the bullet (hit probability above some threshold). I guess you could train for *that*, but how long would it take for you?

      --
      Ezekiel 23:20
    8. Re:It's a shrunk-down ballistic computer! by K.+S.+Kyosuke · · Score: 1

      That practice is quite expensive. What if, one day, any soldier could fire any weapon through a hole in a fortification from a distance like an elite sniper does to avoid detection?

      And it's not just that...people are being chosen for sniper duty for exhibiting two factors simultaneously: marksmanship prowess and ungodly psychological resilience. Just having one of them is uncommon, being good at both is pretty rare. The military might have a larger pool of people to choose from if they adopt hardware such as this one.

      --
      Ezekiel 23:20
    9. Re:It's a shrunk-down ballistic computer! by Beryllium+Sphere(tm) · · Score: 1

      Which fits better with the idea that hunting is supposed to be a sport, i.e., a test of skill.

    10. Re:It's a shrunk-down ballistic computer! by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      If you removed all the human skill from this, why not just strap it to a little robot, and let people pull the trigger remotely like a drone? It's like a sniper that never has to sleep, eat or shit. =D

      Radio communications are relatively easy to jam. There will always be situations where a human is needed. This whole situation of sitting back in an air conditioned bunker and playing video games that kill people without threat of retaliation only works against vastly inferior enemies. It's nice training but it's not the real thing (except, of course, from the perspective of the people we murder.)

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  46. kill -TERM -1 by Mister+Liberty · · Score: 1

    will acquire a whole new meaning.

  47. Re:Thanks for nothing gun nuts by Culture20 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Another case of gun nuts taking useful technology and exploiting it.

    Yes. The hacker spirit lives.

    We just had them ruin 3D printing. I guess Linux is next?

    FYI, 3D printing lower receivers didn't ruin 3D printing. People with your attitude did. "Ahhh! It's a plastic gun! Overreact or it will kill us all!"

  48. a sniper's work by Iamthecheese · · Score: 1

    This+3-D printers = a little more power to the people. Also doubling of manpower for sniper teams that want to take risks (no spotter needed)

    The great part of a sniper's work after he's in position and hidden is essentially calculus. The vector analysis that takes into account all these things and spits out windage and elevation. That and steady hands are all that's needed to place a shot with all the accuracy of which a rifle is capable.

    Countering this trend toward more effective less educated sniper teams are a myriad of new technologies that a well funded country/group can/will soon be able to afford. These include vehicles (and bribes) that allow fast and silent insertion and egress, visible/ir/radio scattering camouflage, and other cute little bits of technology that allow better silence, tactics, information, and weapons.

    My point? None really, just a few thoughts.

    --
    If video games influenced behavior the Pac Man generation would be eating pills and running away from their problems.
  49. Authorizing fire not new by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    The idea of "authorizing fire" isn't really a new paradigm. M-1 tank guns have worked like that since the 80s I believe, probably earlier. The gunner pressed 'fire' then the gun waited until it was actually on target until it fired.

    All aircraft are similar... the pilot presses a button, that send a signals to a series of computers (potentially over thousands of miles for UAVs) letting them know that you want to fire, then the actual electrical charge is sent if it decides to fire. Guided Missiles since Vietnam... trigger authorizes them to explode, but you aren't guaranteed that they get the target you want, lots of Hollywood examples of making the missile kill the wrong target :)

    Pedantically, pulling a trigger doesn't a fire a gun... it releases a locking mechanism which authorizes a firing pin to strike a primer (on most guns).

    I guess what I'm guess at is that it's not a black/white 'fire / authorize to fire', it's a gray spectrum of complexity, and we fear (rightly so) that this complexity may reach a point where a failure in that system will result in the wrong person/people being killed... and then perhaps that it will fire at anything at all that we didn't consider 'authorized' fire. I think the first concern is already out of the barn, the second one is the one to be concerned with... will a weapon fire without authorization??? If so... bad.

  50. Re:Do Not Want! by ifiwereasculptor · · Score: 5, Funny

    It already changes things substantially. Think about it: sniper teams will now have to consist of a sniper, a spotter and a debugger.

  51. Linux is not so relevant by erroneus · · Score: 1

    That they have selected Linux is only significant in that it is free for them to use and actively developed. That by itself is just a drop in the barrel of the large number of device makers who select Linux to build their machines. Who is making such devices using Windows? I think no one. I know it has been tried in the past but I doubt it is going on at present. Perhaps someone will point out some examples to the contrary.

    The industry recognizes Linux is great for these types of purposes. Virtually any purpose really. The real trick is the services and applications writing. Those are things which can be written for any OS and Linux may have some great tools available for it, but Windows, as far as I know, has the best. So 'free,' stable and actively developed is definitely winning the war over 'developers! developers! developers!"

    WINE needs some serious development. SaMBa is pretty much there now isn't it? Linux is filling all the gaps left behind by Windows. Isn't it time it starts closing in even further?

    Linux as a kernel to host applications is well established anyway. And yet, while companies such as the one I work for think nothing of buying Cisco (running Linux), Falconstor (running Linux) and VMWare (running Linux) I still hear many say that Linux is a toy for hobbyists. What has to be done to overcome that perception? These are people who see no problem with running Windows in mission critical situations. Disturbing.

  52. Re:Do Not Want! by Culture20 · · Score: 1

    But if the human is holding down the trigger such that the reticle match-up causes the finger to depress the trigger before the human's brain registers there was a match-up, then it's the human authorizing (by applying constant slight pressure) the gun to fire (by changing the trigger mechanical resistance).

  53. Re:Do Not Want! by X0563511 · · Score: 1

    How is it still made by the software? All it can do (here) is make it easier - you still have to pull the trigger, and you can fire whether it wants you to or not. You only have to pull the trigger a bit harder.

    My own rifle is a Marlin XL7 .30-06. It's got a special safety latch built into the trigger (there's a little lever that sticks out the center of the trigger. Without pushing that back, the trigger will not pull. Basically it enforces you to properly finger the trigger) and is adjustable down to a 2.5lb pull.

    --
    For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...
  54. Zorg runs Linux! by Mabhatter · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's the Replay function of the ZF-1!

    Voilà, the ZF.1. It's light, handle's adjustable for easy carrying, good for righties and lefties, breaks down into four parts, undetectable by x-ray, ideal for quick discreet interventions. A word on firepower, titanium recharger, 3,000 round clip with bursts of 3 to 300, with a Replay button--another Zorg invention--it's even easier. One shot and Replay sends every following shot to the same location. And, to finish the job, all the Zorg oldies but goldies: rocket launcher; arrow launcher, with exploding or poisonous gas heads; our famous net launcher; and, the always efficient flame thrower--my favorite; and, for the grand finale, the all new Ice Cube System. http://www.uselessmoviequotes.com/umq_f004.htm

    1. Re:Zorg runs Linux! by Abreu · · Score: 1

      +1 Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg

      --
      No sig for the moment.
  55. Re:Do Not Want! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Still for that much, may as well put it on a solenoid operated hardmount system that will keep the aim steadier than any human can. Once you get that far, may as well operate the trigger by solenoid too. With that modification, it wouldn't hurt to change the optical scope to a video feed so the gun could be remotely operated while the user stays under safe cover. And once you use a video feed, why not put the targeting on a laptop with a trackball for aiming or a tablet with a touchscreen? Once automated to that degree, recognition and tracking software could be used to keep aimpoints locked on multiple targets as they move about within view of the sight. Then it's pretty much a matter of pushing the fire button to sequentially and accurately hit all the selected targets as fast as that automated gun can range, calculate, and shoot.

    Bonus points if it can hit 10 selected targets within 30 degrees separation in under 5 seconds. That would be win.

    Then if it works reliably enough, you pretty much have the real life eqivalent of a noob-proof aimbot hax. Easy killz with a multi-kill bonus. "Army of One" could be considered less of a old and cheesy marketing gimmick with such a system deployed. That would be worth $17,000.

    Also nobody said it would be pleasant, but it's fairly easy to see where the use of technology could escalate in this particular application. And it's not that far-fetched given what exists currently to make it a reality.

  56. Re:Do Not Want! by History's+Coming+To · · Score: 1

    Yes, you can override it to fire or not fire, but when the system is functioning as intended then it holds the firing pin until the time is right. Yes, it all happens on a faster scale which is dwarfed by the human input times, but for a few brief milliseconds the software takes over the firing decision.

    --
    Please consider this account deleted, I just can't be bothered with the spam anymore.
  57. Borderlands 2 reference... by Polo · · Score: 1

    We just need to add a voice now!

    Good Decision!

    DIe Die Die!

    http://borderlands.wikia.com/wiki/Shotgun_1340

  58. Re:Do Not Want! by MBGMorden · · Score: 1

    The point is that if the computer is modifying the pull weight of the trigger, then then the computer HAS to be integrated into the mechanics of the rifle itself.

    --
    "People who think they know everything are very annoying to those of us who do."-Mark Twain
  59. Space Marines! by cameloid · · Score: 1

    Does it work on heretics and xenos scum?

    --
    -- Cisk for the Cisk God
  60. Re:Shouldn't this be done with a microcontroller ? by jones_supa · · Score: 1

    Maybe they wanted a higher-level solution to easily draw the pretty HUD.

    You are right though, Linux seems way too unreliable and unresponsive for something like a rifle.

  61. Oooh! by slashmydots · · Score: 3, Funny

    Yay, now I'll have something to shoot my Android-powered oven with when it becomes self aware and attempts to cook my dog as revenge for not cleaning it.

  62. Imagine a Beowulf cluster of these! by ClickOnThis · · Score: 1

    Uh, wait ... never mind.

    --
    If it weren't for deadlines, nothing would be late.
  63. Scoring system? by Cito · · Score: 1

    Does the HUD have a good scoring system?

    like 10 points for joggers, 20 points for skateboarders, 50 points for little old ladies and 100 points for school yard playground?

    then you could post your score to facebook or any social network and brag and compare with others!

     

  64. Re:Do Not Want! by X0563511 · · Score: 1

    it holds the firing pin until the time is right.

    I must be dense or you're reading something into it that's not there. Can you please point me out to where it states this?

    --
    For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...
  65. Re:Do Not Want! by sustik · · Score: 1

    Am I the only one who senses a potential problem? They better make sure there are no bugs and else!

    Assume the shooter applies larger force (while the pull force is increased), but suddenly the software leaves this mode. This could be due to a software error, battery failure, an ionizing radiation altering the CPU state, whatever (software error is most likely). Then suddenly the rifle goes off (while the shooter applied constant pressure throughout). This could result in a failed hitting of target or an outright disaster.

    For example, if the pull force is increased, then only two events should allow it to be reduced:
    1. firing occurs either due to the computer resetting it (target match) or the shooter applying the necessary pressure OR
    2. complete release of the trigger for a short amount of time (maybe coupled with movement of the gun)

    This should be true even if the software disconnects, meaning that the second condition should be guaranteed by a mechanical process.

  66. Re:Do Not Want! by Rich0 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Fair enough. I've never shot competitive so I can't comment on how the weight can impact you.

    Basically the logic is this - if at this instant pulling the trigger would cause a miss it is REALLY hard to pull it. If at this instant pulling the trigger would cause a hit then it is REALLY easy to pull it. So, you basically pull with medium force on the trigger the whole time and when you happen to have the gun lined up perfectly your finger will suddenly give way and fire the shot.

    A bit analog vs just having the trigger be an authorization to fire and letting the gun take the shot, but it works out about the same in the end. The gun basically fires for you, with your force against the trigger being just another spring in the mechanism.

  67. Re:Do Not Want! by Rich0 · · Score: 2

    This could result in a failed hitting of target or an outright disaster.

    The whole point of requiring the operator to pull the trigger is to PREVENT a disaster. You don't pull the trigger unless you have a clear range. If you're trying to do a headshot on a hostage taker holding the gun you wouldn't apply any trigger pressure until you had the gun aimed opposite the hostage.

    Basically you should treat any gun as if it will discharge the moment you release the safety. Actually, it is best to treat it as if it will arbitrarily kill anybody in front of it at any time even if it is unloaded. It isn't about fear - it is about respect. If you use the enhanced sights to further improve your accuracy then you're fine. You shouldn't be releasing the safety let alone pulling the trigger if the gun isn't aimed down a clear range.

  68. Nothing new by pipelayerification · · Score: 2

    You shouldn't need to ask. Of course we can and why wouldn't we?

  69. Re:Thanks for nothing gun nuts by Lord+Kano · · Score: 1

    You've got to accept that FOSS etc can be used for good and bad.

    And this is good.

    LK

    --
    "Hi. This is my friend, Jack Shit, and you don't know him." - Lord Kano
  70. Dynamiiiiite by pipelayerification · · Score: 1

    Fishing with dynamite requires real skill. Use too much and there's no water left. Use too little and you go hungry.

  71. So block their account. by dutchwhizzman · · Score: 1

    Aim bots are not allowed!

    --
    I was promised a flying car. Where is my flying car?
  72. Where was this when Reiser needed it? by UltraZelda64 · · Score: 1

    He could have just shot his wife and said Linux did it. He could have easily pointed the blame on the ReiserFS implementation supplied in the gun's particular kernel.

  73. Awesome for target practice by Jmc23 · · Score: 2
    Just imagine having all that precise data available to quantify what you're experiencing on the shooting range. Such accurate feedback will allow your brain to gauge wind speeds, degree changes in direction, distances far more accurately and eventually get a far more efficient synthesis of all that information even without the scope.

    I love tech like this, though I would only use it for target practice. Though i'd much rather an HMD that gave the same info and could give measurements of whatever you're focusing on. Some training with those would be excellent for architecture, construction, surveying, etc...

    --
    Don't complain about syntax, grammar, or spelling. There is no.hell like input on android.
  74. Hax by XDirtypunkX · · Score: 2

    Goddam aimbots.

  75. Re:Do Not Want! by Roger+Lindsjo · · Score: 1

    Guess it depends on how much you read into it and how the shooter actually uses it. The article states "the trigger's pull force is dynamically raised to be very high until the reticle and pip coincide, at which point the pull force is reset to its default. In this way, the shooter is still in control of the rifle's firing, and at any point prior to firing you can release the trigger." The way it is described here, specifically with the "at any point prior to firing you can release the trigger" I read it as the intended operation is for the shooter to apply a force equal or higher than the normal pull, move the aim to the target and at that point the scope reduces the required pull force and the gun fires. Then the the shooter is no longer making the actual decision to shoot, but rather the decision to abort (by releasing the trigger) Maybe the meaning was that the extra pull weight will indicate to the shooter that the round will probably miss but that is not how I would read into the sentence above. Then again, I have not actually seen the rifle in action, but rather read a technical journalists writeup after a presentation by a sales pitch. There might have been room for misinterpretation ;-)

  76. Re:Do Not Want! by drkim · · Score: 2

    ... for a few brief milliseconds the software takes over the firing decision.

    You are correct.
    The shooter's initial action is to put the target designator on target. The scope does all the math on windage, barrel heat, hold over, etc. and produces a firing solution.
    Then the shooter holds down the trigger, which doesn't fire the gun, he just authorizes the scope to fire when the gun is in the right position. The shooter just wiggles around and tries to get the gun in the right position, and when the scope decides the gun is in the correct position, it fires the gun.

    One cool benefit is that you can keep the same target designated and just keep putting round after round on the same target.

  77. Clack-Clack by ThatsNotPudding · · Score: 1

    sudo make-me-a-sandwich

  78. Re:Do Not Want! by unixisc · · Score: 1

    This computer is running Linux, not Windows 8. It WONT crash.

  79. Re:Shouldn't this be done with a microcontroller ? by unixisc · · Score: 1

    I would think that Minix 3 might be more suitable, although I dare say Tiny Core Linux or some such would be responsive enough. What sort of CPUs do these guns use - ARM? Would power consumption be an issue here? Can't the kinetic energy produced by the recoil be enough to recharge the batteries for the next round?

  80. Great.. you took old technology and publicized it by cbelt3 · · Score: 2

    I worked on a much more advanced and ultimately classified project for the Navy SEALS that produced a 'first shot kill' gun sighting system for the SEALs in ... 1993. The sight was designed to go on crew served weapons and sniper weapons. It included aim point calculation, full ballistics computing, sensors, range finder, thermal and optical sighting, low light level, yadda yadda yadda. At the time the sofware was required to be ADA (thanks, DOD).

    Just because you put a shiny Linux on something doesn't make it all new and stuff.

  81. Re:Do Not Want! by X0563511 · · Score: 1

    Ah, in that usage the shooter is providing consent-to-fire. Just like aircraft use consent-to-release for modes like continuously calculated release point (CCRP)

    The pilot lines up, when close he holds the release. The computer waits for the right moment, and if the pilot is holding the consent to release, the bomb drops. The pilot has to use a different drop mode (continuously calculated impact point, CCIP) to get an actual "push button, drop bomb" functionality.

    Not a new idea at all, and in fact I do like the idea. Much less room for error on the collateral side. If an error is to be made, it's in not releasing the munition. In the case of bombs that's generally the safer side for it to fall on.

    --
    For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...
  82. Re:Thanks for nothing gun nuts by gl4ss · · Score: 3, Informative

    Anything that permits the creation of unlicenced firearms must itself be strictly licensed in order for firearms licences to be an effective means of keeping tabs on gun use. That's not overreaction - that's just understanding the nature of licensing. And there is no debate to be had on this point.

    You can debate the suggestion that gun licencing should be strictly enforced if you like, but not the one that says if gun licencing is to be enforced, personal gun manufacturing must also be tightly licenced.

    cnc's arent licensed. neither are drills. neither are stepper motors and heating elements.neither are arms or steel. it's what you do with them that's licensed.

    --
    world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
  83. Re:Do Not Want! by Tekfactory · · Score: 1

    I keep thinking the next progression here are going to be electrode nets in your helmet to let the rifle know when the brain thinks it has the shot. They've done so much research on flashing images in front of your eyes, and the brain deciding before the conscious mind knows. In shooting real targets and in playing FPS there are many moments when everything lined up and as I went to pull the trigger they went back out of alignment ot in FPS the target went back behind cover. I'd always love to have those moments back, but in theory a sensor on my brain letting the gun fire at something I'm already actively targeting and letting the gun decide when it has the best shot would be a win. And yes the spotter's job is over if any of this stuff takes off.

  84. Re:Thanks for nothing gun nuts by Nadaka · · Score: 2

    Its more like penises are ruined because they were used in a blowjob.

    Guns are not bad things, even if they are something you are not comfortable with.

  85. Re:Thanks for nothing gun nuts by Nadaka · · Score: 1

    You can make a gun with a set of simple metal working tools.

    Under current law, you can make a gun yourself, and use it (varies by state). But to sell it, you must apply for a serial number and affix it permanently to the weapon. There are a crap ton of regulations that make that process of making a manufactured gun legal to sell a rather fiddly and complex process.

  86. GPL Enforcement by Lebrun · · Score: 1

    Just took a whole new meaning.

    --

    I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls.

  87. ready... aim... by swschrad · · Score: 1

    kernel panic! kernel panic! kernel panic! "help, Billy, the damn thing won't stop firing!"

    --
    if this is supposed to be a new economy, how come they still want my old fashioned money?
  88. Click! by stackOVFL · · Score: 1

    chmod 222, CLICK!, SHIT!!!
    chmod 666, CLICK!, CRAP!!!!
    chmod 777, CLICK!, wft goddam piece of GRRR!
    chmod, fuck it, pulls knife

  89. Could they do bullet impact tracking? by swb · · Score: 1

    This is a neat system but it requires a lot of known information about the cartridge ahead of time (bullet weight, muzzle velocity, etc) to do the ballistic calculations in addition to some of the environment variables (cant, range, wind, etc).

    It'd be cool if the scope could do some kind of impact POI tracking so that the displayed point of aim could be adjusted for the actual flight path of the bullet. This would allow it to compensate (or try to) for other variance in field conditions, such as differences in wind (shooting from cover to an open area), deviation in cartridge loads as well as shooter performance.

    Now, I don't know how they would actually do this on the fly -- a sensor may be able to track a tracer round, but actual bullet impact at any distance would be hard to track.

    Maybe it would be of value to shoot some quantity of test rounds at a target and then tell the scope where you aimed and where you hit and let it do some statistical analysis to figure out what's going on and then use that information in the field to at least partially compensate.

  90. Re:Thanks for nothing gun nuts by Nadaka · · Score: 1

    Not really. You don't need a license to own a gun. Most jurisdictions require you to have a license to carry a gun in public (concealed or occasionally open carry). Almost all the regulations in the US surrounding guns concern the sale or public carry/use of guns.

    In the UK, if you built your own car and never drove it off your own property, would you still need to pay that road tax?

  91. needs 3 hands to reboot it, though by TheGratefulNet · · Score: 1

    the location of control, alt and delete are hard to reach.

    and rebooting, then running self-test can get your ass killed if you are not careful.

    --

    --
    "It is now safe to switch off your computer."
  92. Re:Great.. you took old technology and publicized by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    I worked on a much more advanced and ultimately classified project...

    And why the fuck are you talking about it?

  93. Dad must proud by ganiman · · Score: 1

    I am sure Linus is thrilled that his OS is installed on weapons.

    --
    geek n performer who performs morbid or disgusting acts, as biting off the head of a live chicken
  94. YES! by Moe1975 · · Score: 1

    Hadn't posted in a long time and . . .

    I have been dreaming of something like this for YEARS!

    I love target practicing, and varmint hunting, and this is awesome.

    App needs to be ported to BSD ;-)

    The jokes in here are memorable too.

    --
    SARAVA!
  95. Re:Do Not Want! by bobcat7677 · · Score: 1

    You obviously didn't read the article. It's a bolt action rifle so you need a human to load a round a fire it (don't start with how they could make a semi-auto version...there are a couple reasons why they chose a bolt action for this system.). And it comes out of the box with video streaming capability. The thing even comes with an iPad to view the video stream. What you are talking about though is "remote controlled hunting" which is illegal in most US states, and can get you in in US federal prison trouble if you try to do it with a semi-auto rifle as that, by definition, turns the rifle into a "machine gun". Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_hunting

  96. Re:Do Not Want! by triffid_98 · · Score: 1

    And once you use a video feed, why not put the targeting on a laptop with a trackball for aiming or a tablet with a touchscreen? Once automated to that degree, recognition and tracking software could be used to keep aimpoints locked on multiple targets as they move about within view of the sight.

    This is all we could salvage. We've got four pulse-rifles with about fifty rounds each. Not so good. About fifteen M-40 grenades and two flame throwers less than half full...one damaged. And We've got four of these robot-sentry units with scanners and display intact.

  97. Wrong Region Code by sycodon · · Score: 1

    No worries, the gun will only fire if you have the right region code.

    --
    When Fascism comes to America, it will call itself Anti-Fascism, and tell you to give up your guns.
  98. Re:Limited Help by Nadaka · · Score: 1

    And that is why military snipers are trained to manufacture their own ammunition to precise standards.

  99. This must be ... by surfcow · · Score: 1

    This must be the next big killer application.

    And it only plays this one first person shooter game.

  100. Re:Do Not Want! by Sigg3.net · · Score: 1

    Which is equivalent to saying the knife was responsible for the stab wound.

    Aristotle writes (Metaphysics VIII-IX): "A movement in which the end is present is an action."

    Or using Anscombe's example. If I poison the well it wasn't the inhabitants that killed themselves by drinking the water.

    You always pull the trigger to shoot, even if you're controlling a drone on another planet. Everything between is just an extension of your intention.

    If you want to investigate absurdly intricate murders, check out Philosophy of Action;)