Self-aiming bullets
Sandia’s researchers, though, have plumped for an old-style smoothbore barrel. That is because, instead of spin, their bullet is stabilised by four steerable fins at its rear. Those fins are linked to a computer chip that is, in turn, linked to an optical sensor on the bullet’s nose. A laser is shone at the intended target, the bullet is fired, and the chip uses the fins to adjust the bullet’s trajectory in mid-flight, a system similar in principle to the one used on anti-aircraft missiles.
June 14th, 2012 at 11:12 am
Those would be some expensive bullets. Also, it’s not a FMJ. Wouldn’t that be “illegal” on the battlefield?
June 14th, 2012 at 11:51 am
Smoothbore rifle?
Wonder if you need an NFA tax stamp for that thing…
June 14th, 2012 at 12:09 pm
One shot one kill takes on a whole new meaning…
June 14th, 2012 at 12:16 pm
The military has had laser-guided artillery (Copperheads) for a long time – we were using it during the first Gulf War. They work great for killing tanks but are very expensive.
I’m sure the technology has advanced but scaling it down to a shotgun will be damn expensive. I bet a mortar salvo would be cheaper.
June 14th, 2012 at 12:51 pm
Why would you need an NFA stamp for a smoothbore rifle? It’s not a handgun. It’s not a Short Barreled anything. It’s not an Any Other Weapon.
June 14th, 2012 at 2:10 pm
I will take 50 in 9mm please.
June 14th, 2012 at 3:27 pm
So when can I start using these in my Glock for USPSA and IDPA?
June 14th, 2012 at 3:53 pm
So if someone drops a smoke bomb, that ammo becomes less than useless?
June 14th, 2012 at 4:04 pm
heh.
June 14th, 2012 at 5:33 pm
TomcatTCH: that’s why I asked…
Thx. I cannot remember all them rulz all the time.
June 14th, 2012 at 5:49 pm
Sadly it’s a stupid idea.
Why?
This forces the shooter to keep the laser on target till the bullet hits.
Ever hear of RECOIL?
That laser beam won’t stay put.
And what about OTHER lasers? Will the bullet follow them instead of the original laser?
June 14th, 2012 at 9:44 pm
Legislation introduced by Carolyn McCarthy to ban possession / use of these boolits except for military and police in 3… 2… 1…
June 14th, 2012 at 9:51 pm
“A laser is shone”?
June 16th, 2012 at 6:35 pm
I keep my smoothbore rifles right next to my jumbo shrimp