The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: graywolf on October 03, 2010, 09:21:47 PM
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A sniper crouches near an open window and zooms in on his target, who sits a half-mile away. He peers through a scope and holds his breath, preparing to squeeze the trigger. But it’s windy outside, and he can't afford a miss. What to do?
Clearly, he needs a self-aiming gun. Fortunately, one should be available next year.
Using the One-Shot system, under development by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), a new electro-optical system will calculate the ballistics for him, telling him where to aim and ensuring a perfect shot -- no matter the weather conditions.
Lockheed Martin won a $6.9 million contract this week for the second phase of DARPA’s One-Shot system, which will provide direct observations of a target, measure every variable that influences a bullet’s flight, and calculate the aim offset in a sniper’s rifle scope.
During the project’s first phase, which started in 2007, Lockheed developed a down-range system that measured average crosswind; range to target; spotter scope position; air temperature, pressure, and humidity; and more, according to Military Aerospace. Using all those variables, the company calculated the ballistics for a .308 bullet at ranges as far as 3,600 feet.
While that’s impressive, the system was too heavy and unwieldy, and it couldn’t be used with standard rifle scopes. The phase-two design will be more compact and able to operate in real time and over longer distances.
It will measure atmospheric conditions, account for the weapon’s maximum effective range and include GPS coordinates. It’s also supposed to communicate with the rifle scope, informing the gun itself of the aim point offset and expected crosswind.
Lockheed is supposed to deliver 15 field-testable prototypes by next October.
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Have you read Stephen Hunter's book "I sniper" ?
The "I" stands for "intelligent"Things like the Barret BORS already approach it, "it" of course being a combined , Range finder, ballistic computer, and sensors for various weather and location conditions, run through a micro computer to tell you "Aim here".
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Is it just me, or is this just this a bit too perfect? OLD FART ALERT!!!!! I have had too many of my contemporaries unable to drive stick. I wonder what GPS has done to map and compass skills at land nav? Now this? Look, if it works, it works, but if you can't do it without batteries? Just sayin'.
FQ13
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The eternal search for better performance.
More power ! Argh argh argh ! ;D
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The eternal search for better performance.
More power ! Argh argh argh ! ;D
Its a flaw in a males character.
Other wise viagra wouldnt have made Pfizer one of the wealthiest companies in the world!
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Its a flaw in a males character.
Other wise viagra wouldnt have made Pfizer one of the wealthiest companies in the world!
That and Rogaine and Prozac. Keeping yuppies horny, hairy and happy! Screw kids with malaria. We've got priorities! ::)
FQ13
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That and Rogaine and Prozac. Keeping yuppies horny, hairy and happy! Screw kids with malaria. We've got priorities! ::)
FQ13
Of course we have priorities, other wise we would have an open border policy wouldnt we?
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ATTENTION LOCKHEED MARTIN:
Ignore the naysayers and non-believers. I would like to announce that I am available for field testing. I only live a stones throw (or a sniper shot) away from one of your premiere facilities and would be happy to perform testing for this weapons system. You would of course have to provide rifle, scope, test system and ammo (lots of ammo). In order to help LM with any "green" initiatives, I suggest we perform the testing at the Marietta facility, just 3 miles from my house, rather than commute to some range miles away every day.. After all, you have a 4,000 yard straight-away that isn't used that much since they close the NAS and I'd be happy to share it with occasional aircraft traffic.
Also, given that this is hunting season, what a perfect way to field test this system. If you could build in Boone and Crockett computations along with automatic rack identification this would be a perfect rig. Red light is target isn't in the top 10 of B&C, Yellow light for 2-10th place and green light for a new 1st place trophy. And since computers can do most anything on the "net" now adays, once you id my target (species/sex/size) then using the GPS (it does have GPS right?) automatically buy me the appropriate hunting license from the DNR having jurisdiction so I don't buy the license ahead of time or waste money on game stamps I might not use. Oh and have your lawyers figure out whether I need a license for where I'm shooting from, what jurisdictions the bullet passes over or what state the target is located. I might have to get 3 or more licenses in some cases. Pay for it with my credit card and signal me in the scope when the transactions complete so I can then legally take the game. Better yet, just pull the trigger for me.
Sincerely, Deadeye
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ATTENTION LOCKHEED MARTIN:
Ignore the naysayers and non-believers. I would like to announce that I am available for field testing. I only live a stones throw (or a sniper shot) away from one of your premiere facilities and would be happy to perform testing for this weapons system. You would of course have to provide rifle, scope, test system and ammo (lots of ammo). In order to help LM with any "green" initiatives, I suggest we perform the testing at the Marietta facility, just 3 miles from my house, rather than commute to some range miles away every day.. After all, you have a 4,000 yard straight-away that isn't used that much since they close the NAS and I'd be happy to share it with occasional aircraft traffic.
Also, given that this is hunting season, what a perfect way to field test this system. If you could build in Boone and Crockett computations along with automatic rack identification this would be a perfect rig. Red light is target isn't in the top 10 of B&C, Yellow light for 2-10th place and green light for a new 1st place trophy. And since computers can do most anything on the "net" now adays, once you id my target (species/sex/size) then using the GPS (it does have GPS right?) automatically buy me the appropriate hunting license from the DNR having jurisdiction so I don't buy the license ahead of time or waste money on game stamps I might not use. Oh and have your lawyers figure out whether I need a license for where I'm shooting from, what jurisdictions the bullet passes over or what state the target is located. I might have to get 3 or more licenses in some cases. Pay for it with my credit card and signal me in the scope when the transactions complete so I can then legally take the game. Better yet, just pull the trigger for me.
Sincerely, Deadeye
They will also offer a Platinum Membership where a drone will locate and pick up your kill, fly it to their processing plant, butcher it according to the cuts specified in your profile, wrap it for the freezer and hold it refrigerated for delivery on the date you have specified.
Platinum Plus Membership will add having them send the hide etc. to the taxidermist of your choice for mounting with a 10% "Members Discount" at over 12,000 taxidermists around the country.
If you are a member of the Insiders Club, you can have your game delivered to your local Safari Club House and have it prepared by their world renown chef and served by their professional staff for your next visit.
A Life Membership will allow you to have a Professional Guide go on a hunting trip in your place twice a year with a guaranteed kill. You will receive videos of camp setup, campfire sessions, stalking and shooting sessions plus still photos of your kill suitable for framing.
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And with "Life plus ! " membership, they just nuke a medium size country and let you claim your first 3 choices.
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A sniper crouches near an open window and zooms in on his target, who sits a half-mile away. He peers through a scope and holds his breath, preparing to squeeze the trigger. But it’s windy outside, and he can't afford a miss. What to do?
Clearly, he needs a self-aiming gun. Fortunately, one should be available next year.
To many things wrong with this to know where to start. Even with a "self aiming gun" I'd be confident enough he'll miss (from the details given) I'd volunteer to be the target for the price of lunch afterwords.
The fanciest scope / rifle in the world still won't make an accurate shooter. The $$ & technology will be wasted on the average soldier. And anybody taking this shot isn't a "sniper".
Will the new scope be of some benefit to the military. Probably not IMO. Trying to think of an application... :-\
Maybe mountain goat hunting?
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To many things wrong with this to know where to start. Even with a "self aiming gun" I'd be confident enough he'll miss (from the details given) I'd volunteer to be the target for the price of lunch afterwords.
The fanciest scope / rifle in the world still won't make an accurate shooter. The $$ & technology will be wasted on the average soldier. And anybody taking this shot isn't a "sniper".
Will the new scope be of some benefit to the military. Probably not IMO. Trying to think of an application... :-\
Maybe mountain goat hunting?
Given that we can put a GPS guided bomb through someone's bedroom window from 20,000 feet at 500 mph, I wouldn't be too quick to make that bet. ;D However, point taken.
FQ13
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To many things wrong with this to know where to start. Even with a "self aiming gun" I'd be confident enough he'll miss (from the details given) I'd volunteer to be the target for the price of lunch afterwords.
The fanciest scope / rifle in the world still won't make an accurate shooter. The $$ & technology will be wasted on the average soldier. And anybody taking this shot isn't a "sniper".
Will the new scope be of some benefit to the military. Probably not IMO. Trying to think of an application... :-\
Maybe mountain goat hunting?
True. All that the fancy stuff is doing is getting you a very accurate point of aim soonest.
Hitting it is still gonna be where the skill is. If you can't do a tight group at those extended ranges without even making adjustments, you have no chance.
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I have worked on DARPA and DITRA projects so let me finish laughing!
Phase Two means they had to build one or two breadboard prototypes. No testing in the field yet.
When L&M gets done Phase Three they will have to deliver only a few units for test.
Phase Four will be an Alpha test bed
Phase Five will be a Beta test bed and look at what it would take to manufacture.
Then they have to find someone in Big Army or USMC that will want it for the set of procurement hurdles.
They have done the low cost ($6.7 M) part of the project. They are looking for funding for the rest of the program, probably by set asides.
Lockheed Martin..We leave no government $$ behind!
Doesn't Chytec (sp) do this already.
I have a friend that was a F-4 pilot in Vietnam. They carried the Aim - 7 missile that could not miss!
He said the first thing he did when he was over the North was to fire them all to reduce drag on the aircraft. He said in his unit they had a 5% hit rate in combat.
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To many things wrong with this to know where to start. Even with a "self aiming gun" I'd be confident enough he'll miss (from the details given) I'd volunteer to be the target for the price of lunch afterwords.
The fanciest scope / rifle in the world still won't make an accurate shooter. The $$ & technology will be wasted on the average soldier. And anybody taking this shot isn't a "sniper".
Will the new scope be of some benefit to the military. Probably not IMO. Trying to think of an application... :-\
Maybe mountain goat hunting?
Read "I Sniper" Hunter has already written all the reasoning behind it.
And no, the Cheytac does not already do this.
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That and Rogaine and Prozac. Keeping yuppies horny, hairy and happy! Screw kids with malaria. We've got priorities! ::)
FQ13
Kids with malaria in Upper Volta have no money for drugs, illegal or pharmaceutical. Rich, horny, goofy yuppies do. You manufacture a product based on the affordability of it for the people who need it. Sick kids in third world countries don't factor into that equation. Money has no heart and soul, only value. Bill T.
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Kids with malaria in Upper Volta have no money for drugs, legal or pharmaceutical. Rich, horny, goofy yuppies do. You manufacture a product based on the affordability of it for the people who need it. Sick kids in third world countries don't factor into that equation. Money has no heart and soul, only value. Bill T.
True enough. Still, you have to wonder. If you are a bio-chemist smart enough to come up with rogaine, with a world class lab to back you up, do you wonder if maybe you could have done something better for the world than curing male pattern baldness? Just sayin'.
FQ13
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True enough. Still, you have to wonder. If you are a bio-chemist smart enough to come up with rogaine, with a world class lab to back you up, do you wonder if maybe you could have done something better for the world than curing male pattern baldness? Just sayin'.
FQ13
I agree to a point. Another thing you have to remember is that Viagra was discovered purely by accident. They were actually trying to develop a drug that would dilate the Heart blood vessels to relieve pain for people suffering from Angina. They wound up coming up with a formula that dilated the wrong blood vessels! It was the most profitable mistake in history! Bill T.
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True enough. Still, you have to wonder. If you are a bio-chemist smart enough to come up with rogaine, with a world class lab to back you up, do you wonder if maybe you could have done something better for the world than curing male pattern baldness? Just sayin'.
FQ13
You might be smart enough and concerned enough to do it, but it's not your lab and not your cash paying for the lab. Come up with your own lab and finances to run it and you can come up with anything you wish...if that is how you want to spend your money.
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To many things wrong with this to know where to start. Even with a "self aiming gun" I'd be confident enough he'll miss (from the details given) I'd volunteer to be the target for the price of lunch afterwords.
The fanciest scope / rifle in the world still won't make an accurate shooter. The $$ & technology will be wasted on the average soldier. And anybody taking this shot isn't a "sniper".
Will the new scope be of some benefit to the military. Probably not IMO. Trying to think of an application... :-\
Maybe mountain goat hunting?
Not sure I fully agree with you here. I think that the technology would be a benefit. However I think you are right in the fact that technology falls far short of the skills that a true sniper brings to the table. If this self aiming gun can produce better than 1.3 rounds per casualty, I'll take a closer look. This was the sniper rate during Vietnam, and it remains almost unchanged today. (I read something about a year ago stating that it's 1.8 rounds/ casualty in Iraq/ Afghanistan. Of course to also have to take into account that in Vietnam 700-800 yds was considered a very long shot. Today we have these guys making head shots with Barrets at 2000 or better.
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Not sure I fully agree with you here. I think that the technology would be a benefit. However I think you are right in the fact that technology falls far short of the skills that a true sniper brings to the table. If this self aiming gun can produce better than 1.3 rounds per casualty, I'll take a closer look. This was the sniper rate during Vietnam, and it remains almost unchanged today. (I read something about a year ago stating that it's 1.8 rounds/ casualty in Iraq/ Afghanistan. Of course to also have to take into account that in Vietnam 700-800 yds was considered a very long shot. Today we have these guys making head shots with Barrets at 2000 or better.
What it would mean is not that any one shot will be more accurate, it means that you will get to make your shot sooner than if you did all the calculations and adjustments manually. It would mean the window to make the shot could get smaller and still have time to make an accurate shot. Each shot would not be more accurate, you would just be able to make more of them.
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Not sure I fully agree with you here. I think that the technology would be a benefit. However I think you are right in the fact that technology falls far short of the skills that a true sniper brings to the table. If this self aiming gun can produce better than 1.3 rounds per casualty, I'll take a closer look. This was the sniper rate during Vietnam, and it remains almost unchanged today. (I read something about a year ago stating that it's 1.8 rounds/ casualty in Iraq/ Afghanistan. Of course to also have to take into account that in Vietnam 700-800 yds was considered a very long shot. Today we have these guys making head shots with Barrets at 2000 or better.
Exactly correct. Technology benefits everyone, everywhere, all the time. This was always my argument in the 60's and 70's with the space program, and resulting Apollo Moon Missions when liberals bitched we could better spend the money feeding idiot's who would then produce more idiot's. The technology that was developed during that time benefited all. From Lasers to Fuel Cells, to circuits that led to the $2 dollar pocket calculators hanging on J-Hooks at Wal-Mart, next to the $39.95 microwave ovens. All of it came from NASA and it's contractors. It would have taken decades for technology to advance on it's own without the "push" the space program gave it. Not to mention the formulation of new metals and alloys. Titanium was never forged into the shapes it now is before the SR-71 Blackbird was developed. The technology had to be invented before that aircraft could even be produced. Remember this is the same organization that Hussein has made it's main priority "muslim relations", not putting people into space for further exploration, or even to man the ISS. Idiot! Bill T.
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Bill,
Don't forget about Tang.
Were would we be without that! ;D
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For future reference, Orange DRINK, AKA "Tang", is not the same as, or even close to , Orange JUICE.
Mixing with Vodka DOES NOT create a "Screwdriver".
I'm not sure exactly what it did create, but it was bad.
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Spaniards know how to make a screwdriver! In EVERY bar I ever went to there when I asked for one they sat a full glass of vodka and a full bottle of orange pop down in front of me! It was always funny, but PHWEEEEW! Until you emptied the glass enough to mix it up a little... :o
Don't know if they just don't have orange juice there or what! For breakfast most restraunts offered bannana juice on the menu in it's place... :-\ Believe it or not it's really good!
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one word - Valencia