The bullet is four inches long and has an optical sensor embedded in its nose for the detection of a laser on its target, Sandia said in a release today. The bullet also has built-in guidance and control electronics that receive data from the optical sensor and then manipulate the electromagnetic actuators. And the actuators use that data to steer small fins in order to direct the bullet directly to its target.
Relevant to my interests.
A Sandia field test demonstrated that the bullet’s internal electronics and battery can survive the rigors of flying from rifle barrel to target. Presumably, they would not survive striking the target.
Full story – HERE
Also check out the Sandia National Labratories Press Release.
Hahha they wouldn’t survive striking the target? What a piece of crap. I demand they be made out of an advanced material, and have electronics that will not even slightly be affected by speeds upwards of several thousand feet per second being stopped instantly when it hits the target. It’s always been my dream to go down range at the end of the day and recover hundreds of little robot bullet carcasses to bring home and reload.
Thoughts?
Hat tip: Jon Bierer
JUMP DOWN ↓ TO ADD ANOTHER
There was a horrible movie with Tom Selleck and Gene Simmons with bullets like that. So horrible I forget the name.
Runaway
I was thinking that was the name, but didn’t feel like taking the extra effort to hit the google.
I actually can work there if I wanted to… anyone think I should take it?
The potential as a force multiplier would be unbelievable if they got it to work reliably. I would question how close the technology is to being practical though. I also question the small calibre high velocity platform they chose.
Would it not be better to use a HV 40mm round as a base? If it’s guided, then a high supersonic velocity and flat trajectory is not important. The larger bore allows bigger (therefore less expensive) guidance components to be used, and if it is equipped with an explosive warhead instead of relying on kinetic energy, it will have the same effect on target no matter what the range.
That’s pretty neat, makes an awesome photo…. and I was freaking out when they said that the internals and battery would not survive striking the target. Must be some cheap prototype…. lol
No mention of the ZF-1?!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pxjnl1yuXk
hahaha I forgot all about that. Epic find!
The craziest part is the adjustments at 30hz. “The further away something is the more accurate we are”
Thats insane. I’m pretty sure I misquoted him but whatever.